September 6-9, Copenhagen, Denmark

The integration of design, architecture and public policy is often overlooked in its importance to our overall quality of life. In order to raise public awareness and to explore these important issues, key international players from the architectural profession and governmental officials as well will participate in a conference, "Design Diplomacy: Public Policy and the Practice of Architecture," to be held in Copenhagen, Denmark from September 6-9, 2000.

The conference is sponsored by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) in conjunction with  European AIA chapters, the Embassy of the United States of America in Denmark, the Federation of Danish Architects, The Danish Center for Architecture, the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts and The Design Futures Council.

Lord Richard Rogers will serve as the keynote speaker. Danish Ministers Elsebeth Gerner-Nielsen, Minstry of Culture, and Jytte Andersen, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, American Cabinet Secretaries Rodney Slater, Department of Transportation, and Andrew Cuomo, Department of Housing and Urban Development, will also participate to offer governmental perspectives on public planning relative to the practice of architecture and urban design. The US Ambassador to Denmark, Richard N. Swett, a practicing architect and Fellow of the AIA, has spearheaded this conference from it's inception and will act as its host.

The following list of architects are just some of those who will discuss various aspects and implications of their profession ond how it related to the public sphere: Ronald Arthur Altoon (USA), Carsten Thau (Denmark), Kristin Feireiss (The Netherlands), Kim Dirckinck-Holmfeld (Denmark), Harris Steinberg (USA), Bente Beedholm (Denmark), Harvey Gantt (USA), Robert Peck (USA), Jorgen Nue Moller (Denmark), Eoin O'Cofaigh (Ireland), Governor Jaime Lerner (Brazil), and Robert Docter (The Netherlands). This is truly an international event that will attract both speakers and attendees from all over the world.

This conference aims to bring together architectural and urban policy professionals from around the world to discuss how the two fields can be better integrated. The conference hopes to inspire architects to recognize that their sense of design can make them splendid civic leaders. Through greater public participation, architects can help solve society's problems and strengthen their profession at the same time. 

Denmark, and particularly Copenhagen, offers a unique setting for a conference of this nature. Denmark has had a longstanding tradition of commitment to public architecture. But good design in Denmark goes deeper than just public buildings. It permeates the whole of society. The physical setting of the conference will enhance the quality of the seminars.  

Full information on the conference and registering for it can be accessed through the American Institute of Architects' website at http://www.e-architect.com. On line, you can see the full conference brochure, familiarize yourself with the impressive array of topics and speakers, and register to attend the conference.

Christopher McShane
First Secretary, Press and Cultural Affairs
American Embassy Copenhagen
Dag Hammarskjolds Alle 24
DK-2100  Copenhagen
Tel: (45) 35 55 31 44 x247
Fax: (45) 35 42 72 73
Email: cdm@pd.state.gov