ifla europe ga minutes

EFLA(IFLA EUROPE) EUROPEAN FEDERATION FOR LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE

FEDERATION EUROPEENNE POUR L’ARCHITECTURE DU PAYSAGE

Avenue d’Auderghem 63 Oudergemlaan – 1040 Bruxelles - Brussels (Belgium) 1(8)

Email: [email protected]

General Assembly Draft Minutes

IFLA Europe

OPENING: The General Assembly of EFLA duly called and held on the 9th and 10th June 2012 at the Marble Palace, St. Petersburg, Russia, commencing at 9.00 am. ATTENDEES:

Executive Council (ExCo) President Mr. Nigel THORNE (NT) Secretary General Ms. Marina CERVERA (MC) EFLA Treasurer Mr. Jeremy A. DENNIS (JD) EFLA VP PP Mr. Carlo BRUSCHI (CB) EFLA VP Education Mr. Tony WILLIAMS (TW) EFLA Com. & Exec-Sec. Ms. Christine BAVASSA (CBa) Delegates

AEP, Spain Ms. Ana LUENGO AÑON (AL)

AIAPP, Italy Ms. Anna SESSAREGO (AS) ALAROS, Russia Mr. Ilya MOCHALOV (IM) APAP, Portugal Ms. Leonor ALBUQUERQUE (LA) ASOP, Romania Mr. Andrei CONDOROS (AC) BDLA, Germany Mr. Adrian HOPPENSTEDT (AH) BSLA, Switzerland Mr. Christian TSCHUMI (CT) CTLA, Turkey Mr. Mustafa ARTAR (MA) CZLA, Czech Republic Ms. Klara SALZMANN (KS) DL, Denmark Ms. Anja BOSERUP QVIST (ABQ) ELAU, Estonia Mr. Bruno MARQUES (BM) F.F.P., France Mr. Marc CLARAMUNT (MCl) FILA, Iceland Ms. Thorhildur THORHALLSDOTTIR (TT) ILI, Ireland Mr. Tony WILLIAMS (TW) LAAB, Latvia Ms. Helena GUTMANE (HG) LALA, Lithuania Ms. Vaiva DEVEIKIENE (VD) LI, United Kingdom Mr. Brodie MCALLISTER (BM) MARK, Finland Ms. Emilia WECKMAN (EW) NLA, Norway Ms. Gyda GRENDSTAD (GG)

ÖGLA, Austria Mr. Karl GRIMM (KG)

SAK, Poland Ms. Urszula FORCZEK-BRATANIEC (UF) SVERIGES ARKITEKTER, Sweden Ms. Emily WADE (EW) ULA, Bulgaria Ms. Liubima KARACHEVA (LK) UPAS, Serbia Mr. Andreja TUTUNDIZC (AT)

National Associations’ Presidents

APAP, Portugal Ms. Margarida CANCELA D’ABREU (MCA)

DL, Denmark Ms. Karen SEJR PEDERSEN (KS) ELAU, Estonia Ms. Sirle SALMISTU (SS) MARK, Finland Mr. Arto KAITURI (AK) NLA, Norway Mr. Yngvar HEGRENES (YH) SVERIGES ARKITEKTER, Sweden Mr. Tomas ERIKSSON (TE)

UPAS, Serbia Ms. Andjelka JEVTOVIC (AJ)

mailto:[email protected]









mailto:mailtolcheis@npk








mailto:%[email protected]
























Observers ALAROS Ms. Taissia VOLFTRUB (TV) BDLA, Germany Mr. Mario KAHL (MK)

DL, Denmark Ms. Lillan S. THOMSEN (LT) EFLA past President Mr. Fritz AUWECK (FA) EFLA Communication Group, Poland Mr. Krzysztof HERMAN (KH) F.F.P., France Ms. Ariane DELILEZ (AD) F.F.P., France Ms. Karin HELMS (KH)

HALA, Hungary Mr. Tádé Dániek TOTH (TDT)

LAAB, Latvia Ms. Lilita LAZDANE (LL) SAS, Slovekia Mr. Attila TOTH (AT) ULA, Bulgaria Ms. Katinka MIHOVA (KM)

+ LALA communication observer

SATURDAY THE 9TH OF JUNE – 9AM

With the approval of the ExCo members, Mr. Nigel Thorne, EFLA President, acted as Chair of

the meeting and Ms. Marina Cervera, EFLA Secretary General, assisted by Christine Bavassa,

recorded the minutes.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE WERE RECEIVED FROM:

• Mr. Pol Gekhiere (BVTL-ABAJP, Belgium) • Ms. Maryann HARRIS (ILI, Ireland) • Mr. Thanos Sklavenitis (PHALA, Greece) • Mr. Tamas Domotor (HALA, Hungaria)

MATTER ARISING FROM MINUTES NOT IN THE AGENDA: AL raised the question of fee distribution between EFLA & IFLA.

NT informed that the issue would be discussed during the meeting

MATTERS ARISING: PRESIDENT’S REPORT:

NT read to his report. NT raised the matter of some recent unacceptable use of the social networking site, LinkedIn, by a number of alleged landscape architectural professionals behaving in a manner that showed an utter disrespect not only for their professional colleagues but the organisation as a whole. The topics under discussion had no foundation in truth or fact and the individuals responsible had sought neither to verify or justify the information they were posting. When the individuals concerned had been challenged they had become unacceptably abusive, thereby indicating they were not about to change or alter how they were using the site. The ExCo were left with no alternative but to exclude them from the site. The ExCo pointed out that there should never be restrictions placed upon the opportunities for anyone to raise important matters in a responsible and appropriate manner, however, abuse of officers or individuals,

particularly in circumstances where it can neither be substantiated nor has any basis in truth cannot be tolerated. One of the individuals concerned had already been banned from a professional social networking site in the UK. AL asked NT to propose the GA a vote on the

subject. The vote was taken with all the delegations in favour of supporting the ExCo’s decision

of excluding the aforementioned individuals from the site

MATTERS ARISING: SECRETARY GENERAL’S REPORT:

MC read to her report.
















NT gave a personal vote of thanks to MC and the communication group for all that has been achieved and the group's aspirations for the future. Report was approved and applauded.

MATTERS ARISING: VICE-PRESIDENT (EDUCATION) REPORT:

TW read to his report. Delegates were informed that the Education strategic plan would be circulated to them shortly. No questions were raised. Report was approved and applauded.

MATTERS ARISING: VICE-PRESIDENT (PROF. PRACTICE) REPORT:

CB read/spoke to his report. Issues of the PP strategic plan were presented. The report was approved and applauded. FA was then asked to give a short explanation on the PDQ which would be further developed in the professional practice meeting. FA reminded the delegates that a report would be sent to them every 2 months and uploaded on the web. NT noted the importance of the directive for the profession and the opportunity to get the recognition. He formally thanked Dr. Jobi and FA.

NT then went on to say that he had always believed that the GA should be a forum for

delegates to bring to the forth the problems that they are facing in their countries and that

currently there was little or no opportunity for this to happen.

AC suggested that delegates could send a short report to ExCo with their concerns.

AL thought that national associations could send out their action plans.

To FA, she said that she was concerned that only 10 national associations had replied to the

survey circulated.

ABQ thought that Nigel’s suggestion to share was a good idea but that one had to be realistic

and make sure that association be given time to respond.

AT was worried about how documents produced in EFLA and distributed to associations were

dealt with thereafter and whether further actions occurred as they should.

KH noted that the school of Versailles had integrated docs from EFLA.

NT said that this was the delegates’ opportunity to convey what is produced not only at the GA

but also throughout the rest of year if information w sent through electronically.

EDUCATION COMMITTEE MEETING REPORT BACK:

[Tony] NT stressed the importance of education and noted TW's desire for people to get involved. Supposedly it is what delegates come for.

SCHOOL RECOGNITION PANEL MEETING REPORT BACK:

[Tony]

PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE COMMITTEE MEETING REPORT BACK: [Carlo]

COMMUNICATION COMMITTEE MEETING REPORT BACK: Following items were discussed: • Strategic plan for sponsorship: 3 actions were set:

Target specific sponsors for specific projects.





Treasurer to formulate the offer to sponsors.

Maintain the general policy.

• Strategic Plan: no additional changes required.

• Agreed that future theme/subject of the Journal would equate to that of the regional

conference

• Code of Conduct to be defined

• A 'this is what we are/do' leaflet to be determined

WORKSHOP

EFLA OR IFLA EUROPE? THE FUTURE OF IFLA FROM A EUROPEAN PERSPECTIVE…

The fundamental question of whether change or reform was needed was a resounding ‘yes’.

The members separated into eight groups to respond to the following 3 questions and

thereafter offer feedback:

1. What should the new structure of IFLA be? 2. How should each of the regions operate? 3. How should each of the regions collaborate?

Returns from Group 1:

• A request to see the summary from last year’s seminar

• Accept IFLA Europe as the new name

• Need to review the world and regional congresses – confusing

• Need for clarity for new delegates/presidents – confusing

• What happens with the money – clarify

• Allow the regions to develop in their own manner – as appropriate

• Harmony in working groups – ELC/ILC; Education; Prof. Practice; Climate Change =

best practice collaboration Returns from Group 2:

• IFLA Europe = ok (name maybe simpler – need regional conferences for independence)

• Economy – review payment per member?

• Possibly HQ for each region or HQ for all IFLA? • Does the budget need to expand to grow stronger or shrink to cover needs? Merge

EFLA into IFLA

• World Council – regions develop in their own right & collaborate on world issues


• Name = IFLA Europe

• Structure = keep ’EFLA’ as own legal body & develop IFLA in direction of federal

structure • Vision = stronger; growth; professional work (incl. professional person in Brussels) • Fees = regional (each region defines itself) plus world level fee (common fee) BUT one

in total • Fees = not necessarily reduced but fairly divided





• More common actions with other regions Returns from Group 4:

• Name = IFLA Europe (but retain identity)

• IFLA is the ‘big box’ around everything

• Fees = Asia increase ‘one arrow’; Americas increase ‘two arrows’; Europe decrease

‘three arrows’

• Annual meetings – regional Vice-presidents with delegates the same

• Currently no ‘flow’ down the lines – disjointed, duplication & little understanding of what

it is doing • Regional collaboration

• IFLA ExCo + a ‘Christine’


• Name = IFLA Europe (simpler & not a big issue) • One fee system required • Currently an imbalance & needs to improve somehow (to what extent should Europe

pay more?) • IFLA is synonymous with annual conference & this is good collaboration point

• IFLA = world organisation to ‘gather together’ everyone

• IFLA should be stronger not weaker with IFLA Europe – important solidarity


• The name ‘IFLA Europe’ would work – IFLA seen as a network

• Need political influence in Brussels – paid for?

• Develop professional networks & contacts across Europe & other countries

• Name of IFLA Europe to be more recognisable as a ‘brand’ across the whole continent

not just EU Returns from Group 7:

• Name = IFLA Europe

• Need for an international ‘roof’ – EFLA acts for European associations

• IFLA structure = hard to understand (not like EFLA & therefore do not know our

‘doppelgangers’)

• Fees = too expensive (need ‘Christine’ + World Congress + ILC + Brand = one ‘roof’ &

several regions)

• Pyramid = IFLA President (selected from past presidents of regions) + ‘presidents’ of

regions + representatives of working groups (Chairs? – prof. practice; education;

communications; international policies) + each region with own board + specific working groups (if needed) i.e. similar to current EFLA

• IFLA ExCo; chairs of committees meetings (similar to current EFLA pm meetings); world council + GA (where everyone could come together)


• IFLA Europe could work BUT consideration needed for historical aspects & those countries not within natural boundaries of EU might need to determine with which

region they wish to be aligned





• Consider each region to develop on similar basis to current EFLA structure [i.e.

president (would become Vice-president – one in each region) + Vice-presidents (would

become Chairs of working groups – education; prof. practice; communications) +

Secretary General + Regional Treasurer)

• Possibly five regions – Africa; Americas; Asia-Pacific; Europe; Middle-east

• IFLA umbrella = president; treasurer + paid ‘Christine’ to be effective on a strategic

level with world organisations + head up World Congresses & attend Regional Congresses

• Regions pay fees within region + percentage sum for central operational funds (one fee

only per region, determined within region)

• Regional focus for operations – separate strategic plans + action plans

• Each region holds annual general assembly and once every 5 years (assuming 5

regions) a world congress rotated between the regions (president invited to all – paid

for from central funds) All income from WC to be reinvested in the country in which the WC is held

• Use current excess funds to kick start regional operations especially Africa Meeting was adjourned at 6pm

SUNDAY THE 10 TH OF JUNE – 9AM

MATTERS ARISING: TREASURER’S REPORT:

JD read to his report. NT moved to approve the transfer of the 2011 budget surplus to the risk reserve account. A vote was taken (29 in favour) and the motion was carried.

The fees issue was thoroughly discussed. NT reminded everyone that the method of fee calculation had been agreed in 2007 at the Minneapolis WC. This was that there was to be a single calculation method, namely that already established by IFLA. AL raised the question of the Appendix 4 figures and wondered which numbers should be contrasted when there would be only 1 fee structure. NT and JD explained that there would no longer be two fees sums to contrast. A concern was raised that there seemed to be fundamental changes for which delegates were asked to vote for but without having had the chance to discuss them at national association level. NT and JD explained that these were not new changes but changes that had not been appropriately instigated at the time they were originally approved. If anything the national associations should have challenged the previous position of a failure to comply with agreed policy. The new position allowed for compliance with a previously approved policy. NT moved to approve the 2011 accounts.

A vote was taken (34 in favour) and the motion was carried. NT then moved to absolve the ExCo members and the treasurer of the responsibility for the now approved 2011 accounts. A vote was taken (34 in favour) and the motion was carried. Furthermore, NT moved to approve the 2012-2013 budget (based upon the previously approved IFLA fee calculation and the desire for each member association to pay only a single fee to the combined Federation). A vote was taken (35 in favour, 2 abstentions) and the motion was carried.





SCRUTINEERS’ NOMINATION

Anja Boserup Qvist and Mario Kahl volunteered to act as scrutineers for 2012. NT moved that they be approved. A vote was taken (35 in favour) and the motion was carried NT thanked Charlotte Buys and Pol Ghekiere for undertaking the task on previous occasions.

ELECTIONS TREASURER JD was the sole candidate. He was proposed and duly seconded (having confirmed he was willing to stand for re-election). JD left the room whilst the vote was duly taken. The GA decided to proceed to a freehand vote. Jeremy Dennis mandate was renewed for a 2-year period with 37 votes in favour.

JD was congratulated on his return. SECRETARY GENERAL NT reminded everyone that at the GA 2011 it was agreed that in order to ensure continuity of office, either the Secretary General or the President should stand down a year early or continue for one year extra. He reported that Marina Cervera had agreed to run for 1 year extra if the GA were prepared to accept this. He encour

A vote was taken (37 in favour) and the motion was carried. Further to the discussion held during the workshop, NT moved that the change of name of EFLA to IFLA Europe be approved. A vote was taken (31 in favour ; 5 abstentions) and the motion was carried. NT welcomed this big step towards true integration of professional membership across the

globe. MCA questioned the legal consequences of the name change to which NT confirmed that, of course, all such matters would be carried out in accordance with the legal requirements within Belgium. KH also asked to make sure that this change would not affect the possibilities of getting EU funds. NT responded to clarify there was to be no change in the operational demands of the statutes or constitution and that the change of name would have no consequences on how the

Federation carried out its operations in the future.

STRATEGIC PLAN WAS IT NOT THAT THIS WAS TO BE UPDATED AND CIRCULATED POST THE COMMITTEE AND WORKING

GROUP DISCUSSIONS AND CIRCULATED FOR APPROVAL WITHIN A SET TIME FRAME THEREAFTER?

[I recorded something but cannot understand it!]

PRESENTATIONS

1. France, Versailles - “Les Assises Européennes du Paysage” (1st July 2013)

Marc Claramunt presented.





NT stressed his disappointment at the limited number of Europeans who attended last year and encouraged delegates to have their associations promote the event more extensively, and for those who could to attend.

2. Germany, Berlin– IFLA Europe GA and regional conference (20 to 22nd September 2013)

Adrian Hoppenstedt presented. Theme still to be decided upon. Here again NT encouraged delegates to attend.

3. Norway, Oslo 2014. Yngvar Hegrenes renewed the invitation made by Tore Bergaust in

2011 to hold IFLA Europe’s GA.

Programme to be presented next year.

NT asked that dates did not clash with IFLA world council and congresses where possible. NT moved that the holding of IFLA Europe be in Norway in 2014. A vote was taken (39 in favour) and the motion was carried.

4. IFLA 2016 – Torino candidate city.

GA gave its general support

MA highlighted that the Turkish national association had also expressed the wish to hold IFLA

Europe’s general assembly or IFLA World Congress in 2016 coinciding with their 50th

anniversary and that they would bring the proposal to South Africa and that if 2016 was not possible, they would apply for 2018. MCA stressed again that people had to be careful to avoid conflict with dates as many could not afford the constant round of travelling.

5. Aljona Galazan presented a film of interviews made at EFLA’s 2011 GA in Tallinn.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS ADT spoke on behalf of the Hungarian Association of Landscape Architects (HALA) to apply for full membership. NT moved that the GA approve the full membership of HALA. A vote was taken (37 in favour) and the motion was carried. MCA asked that the minutes be circulated in a 2-month period AT informed that the Belgrade 2013 LA Exhibition would be announced soon. The General Assembly was closed at 12.30pm

ifla europe ga minutes

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