International Union of Architects (UIA) Professional Practice Commission
A Brief Introduction
UIA Accord on Recommended International Standards of Professionalism In Architectural Practice
The International Union of Architects (Union Internationale des Architectes or UIA) was founded in 1948 to unite the architects of all countries in a federation of their national organizations. The UIA now represents some 1,300,000 architects in more than 100 countries. The mission of UIA is to represent all architectural organizations and individual architects of different countries, with parallel non-government organizations of other disciplines, and with intergovernmental institutions. The UIA is recognized by the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations (Geneva), United Nations Industrial Development Organization (Vienna), International Labor Organization (Geneva), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Paris), World Health Organization (Geneva), and United Nations Center for Human Settlements (Nairobi).
The UIA established the Professional Practice Commission and approved its program in 1994. The Commission has devoted nine years of intensive study and debate in development of the "UIA Accord on Recommended International Standards of Professionalism in Architectural Practice" (the Accord) and nine related Accord policy guidelines. The Accord contains a statement of principles of professionalism and a series of 16 policy issues in a format of definitions and background statements followed by policy statements. These documents were presented to the triennial UIA Congress and Assembly in Beijing, China in July 1999. The Assembly unanimously approved the resolution adopting the documents. This is an historic achievement - it is the first time the profession of architecture has adopted a global standard.
UIA interest in establishing recommended standards of professionalism grows out of the increasing globalization of architectural practice in part because of the influence of the Uruguay Round of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). The GATT agreements established the World Trade Organization and the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS). The GATS agreement approaches the progressive liberalization of trade in services through the elimination of restrictions to trade rather than through deregulation. The Council for Trade in Services established by GATS is charged to develop measures relating to qualification requirements and procedures, technical standards, and licensing requirements based on objective and transparent criteria that do not in themselves constitute barriers to trade in services. International standards of relevant international organizations are to be taken into account in judging conformity to this obligation. This provision has provided UIA with a major opportunity to take the lead in working toward inter-recognition of standards of professionalism and competence for architects facilitating the portability of professional credentials. The UIA is particularly concerned that international and national decision-making bodies are aware of the special nature of architecture and architectural services. While architecture shapes the physical environment, it also creates the cultural heritage of a society and thus cannot be regarded as a simple commercial commodity. Architects are responsible for advocating the fair and sustainable development and the cultural expression of society's habitat in terms of space, forms and historical context. They must also serve the interest of public health, safety, and welfare.
The Accord is an advisory document that is the result of the cooperative endeavor of the international community of architects to objectively establish standards and practices that will best serve community interests, define what is considered best practice for the profession, and express the standards to which the profession aspires.
During the Assembly meeting in Beijing witness was given that the documents have already been used in reform of professional standards - e.g. in Croatia (professional registration laws), the United Kingdom (procurement of architectural services), France (professional education and registration laws), Japan (professional registration laws), Australia (procurement of architectural services), and Germany (education and accreditation).
The UIA encourages governments and regulatory agencies to adopt the policies of the Accord as the basis for reviewing and making appropriate revisions to their own national standards and as the basis for negotiating mutual recognition agreements. It is the intention of the UIA that the Accord and policy guidelines will provide practical guidance for governments and agencies entering into mutual recognition negotiations on architectural services.
The UIA offers the consultation services of members of its Professional Practice Commission to assist governments and regulatory agencies in the review of professional standards. Agencies requesting such services will be expected to cover the expenses of the consulting Commission member.
These are living documents and will be subject to ongoing review and modification as the weight of opinion and experience dictates. The UIA requests that agencies utilizing the Accord in the review of their national standards report their experience including recommendations for modifying or strengthening the documents.
For assistance or additional information
please contact the Headquarters of the International Union of
Architects or Russell V. Keune, Co-Director and Secretary of the
Professional Practice Commission:
The Third Edition of The UIA Accord on Recommended International
Standards of Professionalism in Architectural Practice is now
available for the first time in both English and French published
editions. The 102 page publication also contains the Recommended
Guidelines for the Accord’s Policy Issues. Copies of the
publications may be secured by directing a written e-mail request
to the UIA General Secretariat at uia@uia-architectes.org. Please
include your name, title, organization and complete mailing
address. While there is no cost for the publication, the cost of
postage will be the responsibility of the party making the
request.
The International Union of Architects
www.uia-architectes.org
Tour Maine Montparnasse, B.P. 158
33 avenue du Maine
75755 PARIS cedex 15, France
Telephone: 33 1 45 24 36 88
Facsimile: 33 1 45 24 02 78
E-mail: uia@uia-architectes.org
Douglas L. Steidl, FAIA
dougsteidl@aia.org
Telephone: 1-(202) 626-7566
Facsimile: 1-(202) 626-7426
The American Institute of Architects
1735 New York Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20006 USA
Zhuang Weimin
zhuangwm@tsinghua.edu.cn
Telephone: 86 010 62773170
Facsimile: 86 010 62784727
Architectural Design and Research Institute
Tsinghua University
Haidian District
Beijing, China 100084
