Dear AIA IR Members and Colleagues,
It has been a privilege to serve as your President over the last two years and Vice President during the two preceding years (2016-2017). As I look at the past 4 years, I can highlight the following major accomplishments as Vice President & President of the IR and as Director-At-Large of the Institute (2016-2017):
By-Law Change requiring Continuing Education for AIA International Associates.
By-Law Change for the Specific Formation of International Chapters (Reduction of Requirements for Chapter formation).
By-Law Change making it permissible for US Citizens not licensed in the US practicing overseas to qualify for Honorary Fellowship.
Formation of the new AIA Canada Chapter.
Launch of new IR Website.
2018 Three Day IR Conference in Singapore. (IR Only Conference)
2019 three Day IR Conference in Shanghai. (In Conjunction with AIA Shanghai Chapter)
Creation of the President’s Service Medal to recognize service to the International Region.
Encouraged the creation of the AIA Strategic Global Task Force which I am chairing.
Reaching a milestone of nearly 3000 members in the International Region.
During the month of November, I traveled to Hong Kong as the Guest of Honor at AIA Hong Kong’s Gala Dinner and Design Awards. The hospitality shown by AIA Hong Kong’s President Kevin Lim and his board was heartwarming. AIA Hong Kong continues to impress with the great work and service the profession since its inception in the 90s. The AIA Hong Kong gala dinner was very well attended with some 200 members celebrating excellence in design from the chapter’s members. The selected projects were of high quality and reflective of this amazing, dynamic city.
With current AIA Hong Kong President Kevin Lim, AIA and past AIA Hong Kong Presidents.
Following Hong Kong, I traveled to Shanghai to host along with the AIA Shanghai Chapter the three-day International Region Shanghai Conference held from November 14th to 17th. We had some 220 attendees from 16 countries attending our conference, the theme CHINA NEW REALITIES whose focus was on China’s rise over the last 30 years which has led to unprecedented economic, political and technological growth and development. The conference format followed the typical IR program which entails morning lectures and afternoon walking tours. Most of the speakers were based in China and included young upcoming Chinese architects whose work impressed all those in attendance. We were also fortunate to have US Embassy Minister Counselor from the US Embassy, President Cao Jiamin from the Architecture Society of Shanghai China. We also were fortunate to have past AIA National President (2017) & current International Union of Architects President Thomas Vonier, FAIA and Elizabeth Chu Richter, FAIA who as well was a past AIA National President (2015) as speakers.
AIA Shanghai President Silas Chiow and IR President Thierry Paret welcoming guests at the Welcome Reception
With Bobby Richey the Minister Counselor (fourth from the left) from the US Embassy in Beijing, US embassy officials, American hard Wood regional representative John Chan (third from left), Thierry Paret (third from right) AIA Shanghai President Silas Chiow (second from right) at the Gala Dinner and Design Awards.
I must also thank AIA Shanghai Chapter President Silas Chiow for his wonderful hospitality. I also want to extend great thanks to Hugh Whitmore, Chris Chan, Jason Holland, Jason Briscoe, Carlos Gomez and the rest of the Shanghai and Beijing team for the hard work involved in organizing this amazing conference. This was a high-quality conference that was further enhanced with a breadth variety and depth of the presentations and tours.
I would like to use this letter to recognize outgoing board member & Past IR President James Wright, FAIA for all his significant contributions to our region. James is one of the founders of this region and was instrumental in creating the framework that has led to its success over the years. I also thank outgoing Treasurer Loay Quota, AIA for his hard work over the past 4 years and his support in helping to organize the Singapore and Shanghai Conferences. Other outgoing board members to thank are former President Christine Bruckner, FAIA who has been the driver of our Design Awards program and sponsorship program. The contributions of these individuals are what has allowed us to be the “on the ground” ambassadors of the institute around the globe.
Thierry Paret and Silas Chiow presenting an appreciation certificate to a speaker.
My hope for the IR’s future is that we engage further with our unassigned members in in Latin America, sub-Saharan Africa and South East Asia. We have started our America’s outreach by appointing Jose Luis Salinas from Costa Rica, Jose is a long time AIA member that will bridge the AIA and the Costa Rican Association of Engineers and Architects, it will be wonderful to work much more closely with our colleagues to the south. Our engagement in these geographies is positive for the profession particularly as it relates to sustainability and practice areas. The IR’s strategy shall be in alignment with the AIA’s 2030 strategy. I want to see more members volunteer for service both at the chapter and IR levels. I would like to see increased productivity in our IR committees from our future boards and greater participation by the general membership. I’d like to see more gender diversity on the board and more of the next generation’s participation. I’d hope to see the International Region and International Practice Committee work more closely together in order to better serve those who work overseas, irrespective of if they live in the United States or overseas. I’d like to see greater connectivity between the International Region Board and the 7 chapters that fall within its territory. Finally, I would like to see more collaboration with other professional bodies throughout the world in order to elevate architectural practice for all those concerned.
All the IR Presidents: Founding IR President Thomas Vonier, FAIA (2012-2013), Christine Bruckner, FAIA (2014-2015), James Wright, FAIA (2016-2017), Thierry Paret, FAIA (2018-2019) and President-Elect Lester Korzilius FAIA (2020-2021).
Thierry Paret giving his welcome speech
I would like to thank in particular, James Wright and Thomas Vonier for providing me with great counsel over the many years. As I pass the baton on to Lester Korzilius and shift into the role of Immediate Past President, I intend to support President Elect Lester Korzilius in the further development of the IR. He has great plans to take us to the next level, which I look forward to seeing happen for our members and our region.
I hope that you will join us in early December 2020 in Dubai for the AIA International Region Conference and would like to once more thank our wonderful sponsors for their support.
Once more I thank you for providing the opportunity to be your President, it has been an absolute honor and privilege that I will never forget.
Please join me in welcoming Lester Korzilius as our incoming IR President and join me in wishing him success in his endeavors over the next two years.
Sincerely,
Thierry A. Paret, FAIA, NCARB, ARB, MRIAI, LEED AP
AIA International Region President
President 2017-2018
