SUMMARY CONCLUSIONS OF APEC ARCHITECT PROJECT MEETINGS

Brisbane - 17-18 September 2001
Sydney - 12-14 June 2002
Kuala Lumpur - 12-13 December 2003
Taipei - 18-19 February 2004

Summary Conclusions

THE APEC ARCHITECT PROJECT MEETING
Brisbane, 16-18 September 2001

The first APEC Architect project meeting was attended by delegations from Australia, the People's Republic of China, Hong Kong China, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Chinese Taipei, Thailand and the United States of America.

The meeting has considered and reached consensus on the following matters:

" acknowledging the value of the public benefit in the mobility of architects in the provision of architectural services; and
" recognising the positive value of cultural diversity;

The meeting acknowledges the mutual benefits of co-operation in developing a framework to facilitate the mobility of architects within the APEC region.

The meeting agrees that having noted the UIA Accord, the relevance of the Accord to the APEC Architect project will be further deliberated at subsequent meetings.

The meeting agrees on the following:

Aim

The aim is to establish a mechanism to facilitate mobility for architects for the provision of professional architectural services in participating APEC economies.

Procedure

This will be achieved through the identification of an agreed common sequence and elements in the education, training and assessment of architects as qualified to be registered to provide professional architectural services in the home economy, consisting of:
a) an agreed accreditation or recognition procedure for education programs in architecture;
b) an agreed minimum period of postgraduate practical experience, with specified prerequisites;
c) the fulfilment of registration, licensing or other requirements for full professional recognition; and
d) an agreed minimum period of professional practice as a registered or licensed architect, with specified prerequisites.

Outcome

The procedure will lead to the identification of APEC Architects and the establishment of APEC Architect Registers.
Host economies may choose to adopt special requirements for practice. Any such requirements shall be fully transparent. Subject to these requirements being met, the fulfilment of the APEC Architect procedure will facilitate mobility for those listed on the registers to provide professional architectural services in participating APEC economies.

The meeting further agrees:
a) that a Steering Committee be established to progress the APEC Architect project;
b) that by Wednesday, 31 October, 2001, each participating economy will nominate to the Chair of the meeting a member of the Steering Committee with authority to act on behalf of that economy in these matters;
c) that the Steering Committee will meet within six months of the present meeting and as necessary thereafter to develop strategies and prepare proposals for consideration and adoption by all participating economies; and
d) that the next meeting will be held in Australia and chaired by Australia.

Summary Conclusions

THE FIRST APEC ARCHITECT STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING
Sydney, 12-14 June 2002

The Aim of the APEC Architect project is to establish a mechanism to facilitate mobility for architects for the provision of professional architectural services in participating economies.

The Steering Committee has endorsed the Summary Conclusions of the first APEC Architect project meeting in Brisbane (September 2001).

In accordance with the Procedure agreed at the inaugural project meeting, the Steering Committee has considered and agreed on a set of principles which would satisfy the criteria for admission to the APEC Architect Register.

1. Common elements of architectural education programs

The Steering Committee agrees that the core subject areas in an accredited/recognised program of architectural education are:

Design, as the predominant subject category, and
Technology and Environmental Science
Social, Cultural and Environmental Studies
Professional Studies

Other subject areas within architectural education programs may include:

Related Studies
General Education

2. Accreditation / recognition procedure for education programs in architecture

The Steering Committee considered the accreditation/recognition procedures of participating economies and accepted the following principles of good governance in the accreditation/recognition procedures for education programs in architecture.

The accrediting/recognising body should have authority and (where appropriate) legal status and be transparent, independent and publicly accountable.

The accrediting/recognising body should have a structured process for the approval of qualifications and compliance with agreed standards.

The Steering Committee agrees to respect the accreditation/recognition procedures of each participating economy.

The Steering Committee agrees that processes that incorporate the above principles would be accepted as satisfying the accreditation/recognition criteria for educational programs for an APEC Architect.

3. Fulfilment of period of pre-registration or pre-licensing experience for recognition as an architect in a home economy

The Steering Committee agrees that there should be a prescribed minimum period equivalent to a total of 2 years practical pre-licensure or pre-registration diversified experience as defined by the home economy.

The Steering Committee agrees that this will meet the pre-registration or pre-licensure criteria for an APEC Architect.

4. Fulfilment of registration/licensing requirements for recognition as an architect in a home economy

The Steering Committee agrees that fulfilment of registration/licensing requirements for recognition as an architect in a home economy be accepted as meeting one of the criteria for an APEC Architect.

Summary Conclusions

THE SECOND APEC ARCHITECT STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING
Kuala Lumpur, 12-13 December 2002

1. The Competence of an APEC Architect.

The Steering Committee agrees that the following Statement of Competence be adopted to define the skills and knowledge required for admission to the APEC Architect Register.

An APEC Architect must be competent to create architectural designs that:
" satisfy both aesthetic and technical requirements;
" are informed by the history and theories of architecture and the related arts,
technologies and human sciences;
" demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between people and buildings, and between buildings and their environment, and the need to relate buildings and the spaces between them to human needs and scale;
" respond to environmental concerns and address sustainability issues;
" show skill in land-use planning and the planning process;
" take account of cultural and social factors and demonstrate an understanding of the responsibility of an architect to society;

An APEC Architect must be competent to translate a design concept into built form and be able to:
" investigate and interpret design objectives and relevant issues and prepare the brief for a design project;
" advise on project evaluations, feasibility studies and programs;
" evaluate and determine structural, constructional and engineering elements of a building design and integrate the advice and design of specialist disciplines into a building project;.
" assess the physical influences on buildings and the technologies associated with providing internal conditions of comfort and protection against the climate, and coordinate and integrate services systems to control them;
" meet building users' requirements within the constraints imposed by cost factors and building regulations
" provide advice on issues of construction, procurement and contract administration;
" generate the documentation and information needed to translate a design concept into a building;
" manage the procurement of buildings, administer contractual arrangements and monitor their construction.

An APEC Architect must be competent in the practice of architecture and
" observe legal and regulatory obligations related to the planning and construction of buildings;
" have adequate knowledge of the industries, organisations and procedures involved in the management and realisation of a design project as a building;
" observe the standards of conduct expected of a professional by the community;
" maintain competence in relevant aspects of the practice of architecture.

2. APEC Architect Criteria - Professional Practice as a Registered/ Licensed Architect.

The purpose of this criterion is, in the first instance, to establish eligibility for registration as an APEC Architect, not for registration in another economy.

The Steering Committee agrees that:

1. a minimum period of professional practice of 7 years after initial registration/ licensure in any participating economy as an architect be required for admission to the APEC Architect Register;
2. this period of certified professional experience be gained in all of the following categories of architectural practice:
Preliminary studies and preparation of brief, Design, Contract Documentation and Administration;
3. at least three years of that period be undertaken:
as an architect with sole professional responsibility for the design, documentation and contract administration of buildings of moderate complexity (to be defined), or
in collaboration with other architects, as an architect in charge of and professionally responsible for a significant aspect of the design, documentation and/or contract administration of complex buildings (to be defined);
4. professional practice that satisfies the above requirements undertaken in any economy or jurisdiction may be accepted by the relevant Monitoring Committee;
5. to ensure competence, APEC Architect candidates, who have not practised for the preceding two years, be subject to a requirement to undertake a program of professional development or fulfil other prescribed conditions to be admitted on the APEC Architect Register.

3. Potential Application of the APEC Architect Register by Participating Economies

The Steering Committee agrees that:

Prior to the next meeting of the Steering Committee, each economy review its requirements for the professional recognition of foreign architects to identify any aspect of its policy or procedures that could be modified to facilitate the access of APEC Architects to independent practice as an architect in that economy, for preliminary circulation and report to the next meeting.

4. Establishment and Maintenance of the APEC Architect Register

The Steering Committee agrees that:

1. a Central Council be established for the APEC Architect project;
2. the Central Council comprise at least one representative from each economy authorised to operate a section of the Register, with each authorised economy entitled to one vote;
3. the responsibilities of the Central Council shall be further determined by the Provisional Council;
4. each participating economy establish a Monitoring Committee with the following functions:
- to establish and maintain a section of the APEC Architect Register for the enrolment of APEC Architects registered/licensed in that economy;
- to assess the candidates' compliance with the APEC Architect criteria for registration and to assess the professional practice experience of registered /licensed architect candidates for registration as APEC Architects;
- to ensure continued maintenance of required standards;
- to nominate at least one representative to the APEC Architect Central Council;
- to be generally responsible for administration of the APEC Architect project in that economy;
5. the Monitoring Committee may comprise representatives of appropriate bodies such as the regulatory authority, professional associations and educational institutions.

5. Authorisation of Economies to Maintain a Section of the APEC Architect Register.

The Steering Committee agrees that:

1. an APEC economy seeking to operate a section of the APEC Architect Register constitute a Monitoring Committee to submit an application to the APEC Architect Central Council for authorisation to do so;
2. the Monitoring Committee applying for authorisation, to show conformance with APEC Architect criteria, submit detailed information on:
i. its education and practical experience/training requirements for registration/ licensure as an architect in that economy;
ii. the accreditation/ recognition procedures employed to assess them;
iii. the procedures adopted to assess compliance with the required professional practice experience as a registered/licensed architect;
3. the Council will assess the professional recognition criteria and assessment systems in place in that economy for compliance with the APEC Architect criteria;
4. in reaching its decision, the Council take into account provisions adopted by the applicant economy to monitor continued compliance with required standards of competence and of professional conduct;
5. economies authorised to do so, would establish a section of the APEC Architect Register;
6. economies not authorised to operate a section of the Register receive guidance on rectifying deficiencies and have the right to re-apply and the right to appeal;
7. authorised Monitoring Committees, and the procedures they adopt, be subject to periodic review by the Central Council to ensure continued compliance with the required standards.

Summary Conclusions

THE THIRD APEC ARCHITECT STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING
Taipei, 18-19 February 2004

(Note: the Summary Conclusions of the Third Steering Committee meeting are still to be endorsed by the responsible authority of each participating economy)

1. Definition of Context of Practice

The Steering Committee agrees that the third paragraph of the Professional Practice Criterion be amended as follows:

"at least three years of that period be undertaken:
as an architect with sole professional responsibility for the design, documentation and contract administration of buildings of moderate complexity;
OR in collaboration with other architects, as an architect in charge and professionally responsible for a significant aspect of the design, documentation and/or contact administration of complex buildings."

2. Educational Benchmark for Monitoring Committees

The Steering Committee agrees that:

"Education as an architect shall comprise at least four years of full time study. The education must be of university level, with architecture the principal component. It must maintain a balance between theoretical and practical aspects of architectural training and lead to the acquisition of the skills and knowledge necessary to underpin required competence of an APEC Architect. Structured experiential learning, determined by the regulatory authority of an authorised economy to be the equivalent of full time architectural study as described above, would also satisfy the APEC Architect education requirement, subject to confirmation at the next meeting following consideration of models in operation."

3. Future Conduct of the APEC Architect Project.

The Steering Committee agrees that:

1. participating economies establish Provisional Monitoring Committees to take responsibility for APEC Architect matters in their economies, and to nominate at least one member to a transitional Provisional Council to be constituted at the subsequent meeting;

The Steering Committee agrees that, at its fourth meeting;

2. the Steering Committee hand over authority for management of the APEC Architect project to the Provisional Council, composed of members nominated by the newly formed Provisional Monitoring Committees of participating economies;
3. the immediate duties of the Provisional Council at that meeting would be:
- to adopt the policy and procedures proposed by the Steering Committee to govern the formation and conduct of the permanent APEC Architect Central Council and implementation of the project;
- to establish the responsibilities of the Central Council including:-
- determination of policy and criteria for registration as an APEC Architect and assessment procedures;
- authorisation of APEC economies to operate a section of the APEC Architect Register;
- establishment and maintenance of the APEC Architect Register website and linked databases;
- review of recognition systems and standards in participating economies authorised to maintain a section of the APEC Architect Register.
- promotion of the APEC Architect project;
4. the Provisional Council establish a process for the authorisation of all Provisional Monitoring Committees for the purpose of formalising the membership of their nominees on the proposed permanent Central Council;
5. with the conclusion of Australia's commitment as Secretariat for the developmental stages of the project, that the Provisional Council appoint a Provisional Monitoring Committee of a participating economy to voluntarily assume the role of Secretariat for the project at the subsequent meeting, for a prescribed period;
6. participating economies be invited to undertake other start-up functions such as the development of the APEC Architect website and preparation of documentation

In the period following the first meeting of the Provisional Council, the Steering Committee agrees that:

7. each economy be invited to submit a request for authorisation of its Provisional Monitoring Committee, in accordance with procedures agreed at the first Provisional Council meeting;
8. applications for authorisation be reviewed by the Provisional Council and recommendations for acceptance prepared for the following APEC Architect project meeting.

At the second meeting of the Provisional Council, the Steering Committee agrees that

9. the Provisional Council ratify recommendations for authorisation of Monitoring Committees to nominate members to the Central Council and to operate a section of the APEC Architect Register in their economies;
10. the Provisional Council formally constitute the permanent APEC Architect Central Council;
11. the newly formed Central Council adopt guidelines and rules of procedure for the conduct of its business and the formation of the APEC Architect Register;
12. the Central Council inaugurate the APEC Architect Register.

4. Formation of Monitoring Committees and the Provisional Council

The Steering Committee agrees that:

1. each participating economy establish a Provisional Monitoring Committee by July 1, 2004;
2. each Provisional Monitoring Committee, when established, be invited to nominate one or more members to the Provisional Council to be constituted at the fourth meeting of the Steering Committee
3. Monitoring Committees, when authorised, carry out previously agreed functions and manage the section of the APEC Architect Register, with delegated authority of the Central Council, for which they are responsible in accordance with Central Council policy, guidelines and rules of procedure;
4. Monitoring Committees act as centres of information to provide advice on all APEC Architect matters and promote its purposes.
5. Monitoring Committees contribute to the administrative and review functions of the Central Council from time to time, as it determines.

To provide for the transfer of authority from the Steering Committee to the Central Council when it is established, the Steering Committee agrees that:

6. The nominees of Provisional Monitoring Committees at the fourth Steering Committee meeting be granted automatic membership of the first APEC Architect Central Council, when it is formed at a subsequent meeting;
7. the Provisional Monitoring Committees they represent be required to submit applications for authorisation to the Provisional Council as a matter of record, prior to formation of the Central Council;
8. All initiating economies represented on the newly constituted Central Council be accorded initial authorisation, such authorisation to be subject to normal review procedures adopted by the Central Council to ensure continued compliance with required standards.

5. Central Council Proceedings - Policy and Rules of Conduct

To amplify resolutions agreed at the second meeting of the Steering Committee in respect of the constitution and responsibilities of the Central Council, the Steering Committee agrees that:

1. The Central Council invite non-authorised economies to attend its meetings as non-voting observers;
2. It will be the responsibility of the Central Council to determine policy and procedures for all matters relating to the APEC Architect Register and to promote its objectives, for implementation by Monitoring Committees established by each participating economy. Central Council responsibilities will include:

Maintenance of the APEC Architect Register:
" determine standards and assessment procedures for admission, renewal and termination of the registration of an APEC Architect;
" oversee and coordinate all sections of the Register operated by independent Monitoring Committees, maintain the APEC Architect website;
" establish and apply governance systems and quality assurance strategies to review and maintain uniformity and compliance with agreed criteria.
Establishment of Monitoring Committees:
" determine policy concerning the composition, authorisation and responsibilities of Monitoring Committees.
" assess applications for authorisation of Monitoring Committees to operate a section of the APEC Architect Register, and to hear appeals;
" conduct reviews of registration systems and standards in authorised participating economies to ensure continued compliance;
Administration of the APEC Architect Project
" provide a Secretariat to administer the business of Council, maintain records and coordinate with Monitoring Committees;
" act as a communications centre to provide information, documentation and advice on all aspects of the project;

The Steering Committee agrees that the Central Council:

3. establish procedures for periodic review of the standards and criteria it adopts and their relevance to the practice of architecture within the APEC region
4. adopt quality assurance provisions to ensure the continued compliance by participating economies with required standards, including requirements for structured reporting, notification of changes to agreed process and consultation and review as needed
5. develop strategies for information provision and promotion of the project;
6. establish a basis for the operation of the APEC Architect Secretariat by participating economies, including management of the APEC Architect website, coordination with Monitoring Committees, arrangement of meetings and conduct of Central Council business.

6. Central Council Proceedings - Authorisation of Monitoring Committees

To promote consistency and transparency of process in the authorisation of Monitoring Committees to maintain a section of the APEC Architect Register, the Steering Committee agrees that:

1. the Central Council prepare detailed guidelines on the information to be provided by Monitoring Committees in support of applications for authorisation;
2. the information to be provided include advice on the:
- education, pre-registration/licensure practical experience required for professional recognition; accreditation systems; process for assessment of post registration/licensure practical experience;
- procedures to be adopted for constitution of the Monitoring Committee and management of a section of the APEC Architect Register;
- provisions for maintaining standards; quality assurance systems;
3. at least a two third majority of all the Central Council members be required to authorise a Monitoring Committee to maintain a section of the APEC Architect Register, or to conditionally suspend the authorisation of a Monitoring Committee that no longer satisfies APEC Architect criteria;
4. a Monitoring Committee may surrender its authorisation to maintain a section of the APEC Architect Register after giving due notice to the Central Council;
5. the Central Council adopt rules to provide for independent review of a decision to suspend or refuse authorisation of a Monitoring Committee with reason;
6. in economies with multiple domestic jurisdictions, where applicable, the professional standards and criteria established by national organisations acting as councils of individual regulatory authorities are those to be evaluated for the authorisation of Monitoring Committees.

7. Administrative Provisions - The Secretariat

With a view to establishing an equitable system for sharing the provision of administrative services between economies, the Steering Committee agrees the following terms of reference for the future appointment of participating economies to act as the Secretariat for the Central Council:

1. The function of providing administrative services and acting as Secretariat for the APEC Architect Central Council to be rotated between participating economies;
2. the minimum period for a participating economy to act in this capacity to be two years;
3. participating economies may reapply for the role of acting as Secretariat for a subsequent term of office;
4. the economy acting as Secretariat may delegate any of its functions to another economy through mutual agreement;
5. participating economies may be exempted from the obligation of Secretariat at their request;
6. two or more participating economies might undertake the Secretariat role jointly;
or
7. any other option proposed by participating economies for the rotation of the Secretariat among participating economies be considered.

The Steering Committee sought offers from participating economies:

8. to act as Secretariat for the Provisional Council and the Central Council, under the terms of reference and for the period agreed by the Steering Committee; or
9. to undertake one-off establishment operations as a contribution to overall start-up costs

The participating economy selected as Secretariat would commence to act in this capacity after the Provisional Council is constituted at the fourth meeting of the Steering Committee.

Chinese Taipei offered to undertake the first term of the Secretariat. The offer was accepted with appreciation and acclaim by all participating economies.

The United States of America offered to be the host of the fourth Steering Committee Meeting. The meeting is scheduled to be held at Hawaii on September 22 and 23, 2004. The offer was accepted and appreciated by all economies.