ELASA Info-Centre 94/95, Postboks 832, 1432 ÅS, NORWAY. Fax +47 64 94 83 90
ELASA was founded in Hungary during 1991 following an inaugural conference in Portugal, 1990.
The aims of ELASA, as stated in constitution, are:
(Article 1.0) “increasing the possibilities for collaboration and exchange of landscape architecture students throughout Europe, by means of improving the circulation of information and ideas.”
These aims are met by:
- Organising an official Representatives Meeting and annual ELASA Conference.
- Running an Information Centre (ELASA Info Centre), which gathers relevant material and offers advice to all students (also other interested parties).
- Producing a Yearbook which includes information on all landscape architecture courses in Europe, national student associations (where they exist), national professional bodies and related organisations.
- Producing a regular Newsletter.
- Co-ordinating and organising Workshops.
ELASA is at present entirely self-funding, with more than 26 countries represented by two elected, official delegates from each nation, covering all EU, EFTA, EEA countries and others.
To properly reflect the view of European students, representatives to the EFLA (European Foundation of Landscape Architects), IFLA (International Federation for LA) and ECLAS (European Conference for Landscape Architecture Schools), amongst others, are elected annually. Also, to make sure ELASA is represented throughout Europe, reduced fees for those countries lee-able to afford to travel and pay conference costs, are supplemented by the other students. The point of contact for ELASA is either to the national Reps or to the ELASA Info Centre.
Following on from Switzerland in 1992 and Turkey in 1993, the ELASA ’94 Conference was held in Norway. With the main theme being Recover Culture, Discover Nature, over 130 students continued to explore a topic first discussed in Turkey. The business of ELASA was dealt with at the Reps meeting before the main Conference, which included lectures, site visits, international workshops and an fascinating exhibition of student work from all participating countries. It is the opportunity to swap ideas, share experiences and understand each others cultures, which make ELASA such an exciting and vibrant forum.
Each year sees ELASA growing up and flourishing as an organisation. Every conference seems more successful than the last, thanks to much hard work and a passionate belief in getting involved and doing something for our environment and other people. In 1995 the venue is Cheltenham, in the UK, where the organising committee intend to introduce students to the conflicts between the demand for development and the desire to conserve the rich historical heritage of the English landscape.
As the officially recognised organisation for landscape architectural students in Europe, ELASA continues to help bring people together and in time, to produce a better level of co-operation and understanding, within our future profession throughout Europe.
Simon Lisney
