IFLA World Congress – “Act Local, Think Global”
The IFLA World Congress offered an inspiring platform for professionals and students to connect, exchange ideas, and explore the global challenges shaping our discipline. Under the theme “Act Local, Think Global,” the congress emphasized how small interventions can have wide-reaching impacts in a world facing climate change, biodiversity loss, and growing social inequality. For me, it was also an immersion into the African landscape architecture community, where projects reflected deep cultural heritage and innovative perspectives. A striking example was Ancestral Intelligence (A.I.) — a counterpoint to artificial intelligence — highlighting how traditional knowledge can inform contemporary design. Held bilaterally in Stockholm and Nairobi, the congress encouraged cross-continental dialogue and new collaborations. Central themes included:
The intersection of digital and physical worlds
Urbanization and ecological resilience
The dialogue between culture and nature across history
The congress reinforced my belief that collective engagement and problem solving are essential for building resilient and equitable infrastructures. In a time of rapid resource consumption, communication and collaboration across borders will be key to creating sustainable solutions.
During my stay in Stockholm, I visited the KTH Royal Institute of Technology. Together with friends studying there, I developed a conceptual “garden of proportions” based on the forest house in Tateshina by Kazujo Sejima. With the project we explored innovative approaches to landscape and spatial design.
