IFLA World Congress: “Act Local, Think Global”

The IFLA World Congress provided 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 emphasised how small scale actions can have far 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, whose projects reflect a rich cultural heritage alongside innovative perspectives. A striking example was Ancestral Intelligence (A.I.) a strong and important counterpoint to artificial intelligence which demonstrates how traditional knowledge can inform and shape contemporary design.

The congress, held across two locations in Stockholm and Nairobi, fostered cross-continental dialogue and new collaborations.
Key themes included:

• The intersection of the digital and physical worlds

• Urbanisation and ecological resilience

• The dialogue between culture and nature throughout history

The congress reinforced my belief that collective engagement is essential for building resilient and equitable infrastructures.
In an era of rapid resource consumption, communication and collaboration across borders are key for creating sustainable solutions.