IFLA Database Project: A toll for information on education possibilities and professional practice in landscape architecture

In the past, across the International Federation of Landscape Architects (IFLA) and its regions, numerous initiatives have taken place to collect information on Pathways to Profession. Such initiatives have looked at educational programmes and country-level membership requirements. However, despite a great effort in dealing with these matters, most of the information collected is either incomplete or outdated. Moreover, different databases and formats prevent any data comparison for IFLA members, affiliated organisations and the general public. This makes it difficult for professionals to respond to contemporary worldwide challenges that our globalised society faces, especially the higher demands of free movement. Educational and professional standards differ not only across IFLA Regions but also between countries, which has massive repercussions in employability, career development, exchange of knowledge and other administrative formalities. This is noted in extreme situations when a quick response is needed to unfortunate events like natural disasters or emerging conflicts.