LITHUANIAN MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT SPEAKS AT THE CONFERENCE ON FREE MOVEMENT OF ARCHITECTS IN THE EU AT THE ROYAL INSTITUTE OF BRITISH ARCHITECTS
The Lithuanian EU Presidency, the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), The UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), and the UK Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) were hosting a conference on the recognition of the professional qualifications of architects on 9 September 2013.
The conference was opened by the Minister for Trade and Investment, Lord Green of Hurstpierpoint; the Lithuanian Minister of Environment and Urban Planning Valentinas Mazuronis and RIBA President Stephen Hodder.
In his opening speech the Lithuanian Minister of Environment and Urban Planning Valentinas Mazuronis stressed the importance of architects in the larger European context: “Architecture helps to solve challenges in sustainable development, housing and in improving the quality of living conditions. Architects are professionals who can directly influence reduction of climate change environment. Energy efficiency in buildings is one of the most important factors that affect the emission of greenhouse gases. Architectural activities address both the aesthetics and also the creative challenges. They also improve environmental quality, positively contribute to sustainable use of resources and reduce pollution.”
The European Commission representative Jurgen Tiedje presented the details of how the Professional Qualifications Directive is being modernised, whereas the Lithuanian EU Presidency representative Martynas Barysas in his presentation addressed the governance issues. The lively panel discussion raised important questions on how the modernisation of the Directive will actually affect practising architects who aim to move within the EU.
The conference was followed by the Opening of the exhibition on the history of the Lithuanian architecture. This exhibition remains open for the public till 1 October 2013. It features the aesthetic and ideological development of the Lithuanian architecture in three eras: era of independence between the two World Wars, era of Soviet occupation and finally, the era after 1990.
Exhibition: Parallels - Lithuanian Architecture: Three Eras, Three Faces
- 10 September – 11 October 2013
