The Commonwealth Association of Architects (CAA) General Assembly took place on 22 August 2024, and elected its Council for the 2024 to 2026 term.
During a handing over ceremony, outgoing President Peter Oborn, (RIBA Member, Client Adviser, former VP International), inaugurated incoming President, Steven Oundo, from the Architectural Association of Kenya.
We are delighted to announce that Mina Hasman (RIBA Council member 2022 to 2025) was elected as Vice President for the Europe region.
CAA Council members 2024 to 2026 term
- President - Mr Steven Oundo, Kenya
- Immediate Past President - Mr Peter Oborn, United Kingdom
- Treasurer and Honorary Secretary - Ms Flora Runumi, Uganda
- Senior Vice President - Mr John Brown, Canada
- Vice President Africa - Mr Wilson Mugambi, Kenya
- Vice President Asia - Ms Maira Khan, Pakistan
- Vice President Caribbean and Americas - Ms Curisa Smith, Antigua and Barbuda
- Vice President Europe - Ms Mina Hasman, United Kingdom
- Vice President Pacific - Mr Vince Pirello, Australia
- Youth Representative - Hugo Chan, Australia
- Chair of Professional Practice - Mr Nazmul Haq Bulbul, Bangladesh
- Chair of Education - Mr Umar Saeed, Pakistan
In addition, three delegates were elected as CAA representatives on the Commonwealth Youth for Sustainable Urbanisation (CYSU) Steering Group.
- Ms Sienna Lewis, Trinidad and Tobago Institute of Architects
- Ms Mahiat Hasna Shawrna, Institute of Architects Bangladesh
- Ms Joanna Nsenga, Rwanda Institute of Architects
About the CAA
The CAA is a membership organisation for professional bodies that represent architects in Commonwealth countries. CAA membership encompasses national architectural associations from the five regions of the Commonwealth. All are united by shared values and the mission to have an impact at scale.
The CAA originated in a meeting of representatives from Commonwealth architectural institutions in London in 1963. The decisions taken were then formalised in 1964, becoming the Commonwealth Association of Architects. The first fully-fledged conference took place in Malta the following year.
The CAA aims to promote "the advancement of architecture in the Commonwealth and the promotion and acquisition of knowledge of the various arts and sciences connected therewith. The association shall…promote co-operation between associations of architects with the object of ensuring the maximum contribution by architects to the well-being of society”.
The CAA is one of over 80 accredited organisations supporting the Commonwealth's work. It is unique because of its ability to access, engage with and convene a wide range of influential Commonwealth partners. This also includes international agencies who are in pursuit of a better built environment for the benefit of all.
About CAA Council
The Council of the Commonwealth Association of Architects is drawn from its member organisations and elected at the General Assembly which takes place on a two-year cycle. The next cycle is from 2024 to 2026.
CAA Council is supported by two working committees that address Education and Practice alongside a volunteer secretariat and a group of five trustees.
CAA Council Members, Outline Roles and Responsibilities
Senior Vice-President
The role of the Senior Vice president is to support the President during their term in office and to deputise when the President is not available. This is not a ceremonial role, and the Senior Vice President has to engage themselves in the daily workings of the CAA as they will form part of the Executive Team composed of the President, the Immediate Past President, the Hon Secretary/Treasurer, and the Executive Director in taking decisions on a daily basis.
Regional Vice Presidents
The role of the Regional Vice Presidents is to:
- initiate and maintain regular contact with Member Organisations (MOs) in the region
- gather information on key issues affecting MOs and regularly feedback to CAA Council basis
- develop a profile of each MOs and help maintain the currency of the information
- help communicate the CAA’s aims, objectives and priorities among MOs
- ensure member retention
- work with the President and the Senior Vice President to attract new members
- support delivery of the approved CAA Strategy and approved CAA Business Plan
- assist MOs in their engagement with policymakers
- help with the CAA Awards programme, such as identifying jurors, attracting submissions, and generally promoting
- support the CAA’s Education and Validation activities, including growth in the number of validated schools
- support the CAA’s CPD activities including engagement with and participation from each MO
- help to identify case studies and examples of best practice for publication
- gather information on key events and activities and help identify opportunities for CAA engagement
- promote inter disciplinary, cross-sector collaboration and help maximise the value of the Commonwealth network
- encourage engagement with other institutes and international forums (Such as UN Habitat)
- provide regular reports to CAA Council
- work collaboratively with other members of CAA Council
- act in an ambassadorial capacity on behalf of the CAA
Honorary Secretary and Treasurer
The role of the Honorary Secretary and Treasurer is to:
- support the President and the Executive Director in the day-to-day workings of the CAA
- be the custodian of the CAA Constitution and ensure that its provisions are being respected
- keep books of accounts, make payments and receive dues from third parties
- file financial reports to the CAA Council, the Auditors, the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Charity Commission
- issue invoices for payment of Membership Fees and acknowledge such payments when received
Youth Representative
The role of the Youth Representative is to:
- provide a conduit between CAA Council and the Commonwealth Youth for Sustainable Urbanisation (CYSU)
- help stimulate youth engagement more generally
- ensure that the work of both groups is effectively co-ordinated and that the voice of young members of the profession is effectively represented on Council
About the Commonwealth Youth for Sustainable Urbanisation (CYSU)
The Commonwealth Youth for Sustainable Urbanisation Network (CYSU) is a new organisation that was launched at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Kigali, 2022 as part of the Commonwealth Youth Programme. It was convened as a response to the Call to Action on Sustainable Urbanisation across the Commonwealth, launched in 2021 by the Commonwealth Sustainable Cities Initiative which acknowledges the importance of youth in sustainable urbanisation.
The network builds on the Youth Manifesto for Sustainable Urbanism launched at CHOGM 2018, London. A unique aspect of this network, reflecting the Call to Action, is recognising the need to foster interdisciplinarity between young professionals in beginning their careers, in sectors related to the built environment, such as the built environment professions, local government and academia.
