Having an IFLA World Congress in New Zealand is an opportunity for New Zealand  practitioners to experience first-hand the global nature of landscape architecture and to showcase our place in the world. IFLA congresses provide an insight into the shared issues and concerns faced by the landscape architecture community globally while at the same time highlighting the vastly different environmental and social contexts in which we all work. Talking one-to-one with practitioners representing almost every country in the world across the four regions of IFLA (from the Americas, to Asia/Pacific, Africa and Europe) opens a doorway to a heightened appreciation for our discipline and the challenges we face now and into the future. It offers a way to engage in conversations drawing on different world views – in so doing allowing us to see our own challenges with fresh eyes and in new ways.  

There is no better way to be inspired, to explore innovation or to build collegiality than during an IFLA World Congress. Friends, colleagues and opportunities will be forged. For those who have never experienced an IFLA Congress, my observation, through personal experience, is that you will find the experience transformative
and engergising.  

In 2013, the IFLA50 World Congress in Auckland will be the penultimate event in a week long celebration of landscape architecture – starting with the student charette, World Council meeting, student awards, Resene NZILA Awards (showcasing the best of the best in New Zealand landscape architecture) and culminating in the three days of congress.  

This week of events is a fantastic opportunity for our New Zealand profession to highlight and promote the discipline of landscape architecture and its contribution to our world – don’t miss it. 

What to expect:

New Zealand will be hosting the 50th International Federation of Landscape Architects Congress (IFLA) in Auckland from 10–12 April 2013. 

The theme for the congress will focus on knowledge sharing around the increasingly challenging issues facing our local and global environments in an age of considerable and frequently dramatic change. It will provoke thought as to how we, as the landscape profession, can and should participate in the shaping and management of the future.

With less than six months to go, the focus for the committee has turned to the final details of the social events. Preparations are well under way and it is a very exciting time as we fine-tune those little extras to further entertain and delight you.

The social programme starts on Tuesday 9 April with the student award ceremony and welcome reception, which will be held at the Auckland War Memorial Museum. The welcome function, on the night of Wednesday 10 April, offers a relaxed start to the congress and will be hosted by Brown Environments. The following day, one of the most anticipated events of the congress, the gala dinner will be held at the Viaduct Events Centre.

At the successful 2011 Rugby World Cup campaign, from the opening through to the closing ceremonies, New Zealand showed the world in true Kiwi-style how to put on a first-class event. The IFLA50 Congress will do the same for landscape architects around the world, so don’t miss out – register now and experience it all.