International University of Andalucía, La Rábida, Huelva, Spain
At its 3rd meeting the UNISCAPE Executive Board discussed the progress in the UNISCAPE activities. The Director reported among others that:
- Membership has increased to 50 universities from 8 countries. Many more universities, especially from northwester European universities have expressed interest in registering.
- Major efforts are being undertaken to launch the new website www.uniscape.eu. The website is the main communication and information facility of UNISCAPE. All members are strongly requested to supply relevant information to our new webmaster Eva Lorenzoni (eva.lorenzoni@uniscape.eu).
- The ATLAS website on education in landscape has been taken up, and major revision and updates were done. It has a prominent place on the new UNISCAPE home page, and will be extended and improved continuously.
- The relationship with the Council of Europe’s activities around the European Landscape Convention has been strengthened, and a strong delegation was present in the Conference in Strasbourg 31-31 March 2009. Also, the participative status of NGO at the Council of Europe has officially been requested by UNISCAPE; this is currently under review and a decision is expected in the 2nd half of 2009.
- In many other landscape meetings and conferences UNISCAPE has been represented, and presentations have been held.
- Relationships with the two other networks under the European Landscape Network (RECEP-ENELC and CIVILSCAPE) have been strengthened by several meetings and ad-hoc contacts.
- For further meetings and events see the relevant sections of this website.
Of course also financial and operational affairs were discussed, which led to the conclusion that UNISCAPE is a young but strong organization with large growth potentials. Especially the coordination of education and research (see also the Meeting of Directors of Landscape Master Courses) is a promising area of intensive exchange and development. One example of actions in this respect is the intention to organize a Competition of Master Theses (interested students should apply to info@uniscape.eu).
It was further decided that Landscape Research Group be nominated as Observer in the UNISCAPE General Assembly, to ascertain proper exchange of information on points of joint interest.
Detailed minutes of this meeting can be find in the Members Area.
Next Board Meeting (and also General Assembly) will probably be held in conjunction with the Landscape Convention Workshop in Malmö 8 – 9 October 2009 (see CoE ELC website).
14 May 2009