International Union of Architects (UIA)

UIA President:
Sara TOPELSON DE GRINBERG (Mexico)

Secretary General:
Vassilis SGOUTAS (Greece)

Treasurer:
Enrico MILONE (Italy)

General Secretariat:
51, rue Raynouard
F 75016 PARIS, France
Tel: (33 1) 45 24 36 88/ Fax: (33 1) 45 24 02 78
E-Mail: uia@uia-architectes.org
Web site: http://www.uia-architectes.org

Founded:
28 June 1948, under French law concerning non-profit making associations (Law of 1901).

Aims:
To unite the architects of the world on a democratic basis and to reinforce professional ties between architects from all countries, institutions and schools of thought regardless of national and political boundaries; to represent architects at an international level and to make official declarations to governments when necessary; to assist international organisations in their activities when the latter concern the functions of architects; to maintain the public's confidence in the integrity and competence of architects by demanding a high professional and moral level of its members; to promote the development of environmental architecture and town planning, and their practice for the good of the community; to encourage associations of architects to cooperate with other disciplines, professions and other interested parties in the fields of construction and planning; to provide assistance to architectural organisations in developing countries especially with regard to defining the conditions necessary for the different ways in which architects may practice; to promote and encourage the development of architectural education in its various forms, and to facilitate the international exchange of architects, researchers and students.

Structure:
General Assembly (every 3 years), unites delegations from all Member Sections (from one to seven delegates depending on the number of architects in the country). Council (meets at least once a year), composed of representatives of 4 Member Sections from each of the five geographical regions and eight members of the Bureau, composed of a President, Secretary General, Treasurer and five Vice-Presidents (responsible for regional activities). General Secretariat under the responsibility of the Secretary General.
Only national architectural organisations are admitted as members. Bureau and Council meetings are not open to all. The Congresses (every 3 years) and Work Programme seminars are open to all.

Funding:
Membership fee s from Member Sections, Personal Information Service and revenue from activities (Congresses, competitions, publications etc.).

Consultative Status
ECOSOC, UNESCO, OIT, OMS. UNICEF, UNDP, UNEP, UNIDO, UNCHS, WIPO, Council of Europe.

Activities:
Member Sections (divided into five geographical regions aforementioned) are the life force of the Union and at the centre of its activities.

Work Programmes:
PUBLIC HEALTH, EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL SPACES, SPORTS AND LEISURE, ARCHITECTURE AND HERITAGE, ARCHITECTURE OF THE FUTURE, PLACES OF WORSHIP, ARCHITECTURE AND TOURISM, HABITAT, ARCHITECTURE AND ENERGY, ARCHITECTURE AND CONSERVATION OF FORESTS, HEALTHY BUILDINGS, ARCHITECTURE AND ECOLOGY, "HOUSING FOR THE HOMELESS - THE ROAD FROM ISTANBUL", PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE COMMISSION , INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIONS, URBANISATION PROCESSES IN MEDIUM-SIZED HISTORICAL CITIES, TRANSITIVE URBANISM, URBAN SETTLEMENTS AND NATURAL DISASTERS, UIA INFORMATION CENTRE ON ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE, POST-WAR RECONSTRUCTION OF CITIES, FOLLOW-UP OF UIA/UNESCO CHARTER FOR ARCHITECTURAL EDUCATION

These programmes promote contact between architects at international level and allow for an exchange of views and professional experiences. They organise international seminars, participate in studies and works of other international organisations in their specific field.

International Competitions
The UIA has been mandated by UNESCO since 1956 to provide its assistance in the organisation of international competitions in architecture and town planning, and to ensure that the UIA/UNESCO recommendations in this field are respected.

UIA Prizes:
Honorary distinctions are presented every three years by an international jury.

Patronage:
Exhibitions and seminars on architecture and town planning

Triennial Congresses
Triennial Congresses: Lausanne (1948), Rabat (1951), Lisbon (1953), The Hague (1955), Moscow (1958), London (l961), Havana (1963), Paris (1965), Prague (1967), Buenos Aires (1969), Varna (1972), Madrid (1975), Mexico City (1978), Warsaw (1981), Cairo (1985), Brighton (1987), Montreal (1990)), Chicago (1993), Barcelona (1996), Beijing (1999).

Publications:
UIA Newsletter (monthly); List of Schools of Architecture recognised by Member Sections; UIA/UNESCO recommendations on architecture competitions; Instructions and recommendations to promoters of international competitions; List of Member Sections; Reports of Congresses and seminars.

Members:
87 Member Sections (National professional organisations of architectes)