Regional Architects Meet to Develop a Mutual Recognition Agreement
Last week Gary Turton – acla:works director and Immediate Past President of the Trinidad and Tobago Institute of Architects [TTIA] – attended a meeting in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, on behalf of the Association of Commonwealth Societies of Architects in the Caribbean [ACSAC]. ACSAC represents the English-speaking architects of CARICOM, and at the recent meeting Gary was present to discuss the terms of the Mutual Recognition Agreement [MRA] to be signed between regional architectural bodies and their counterparts in the European Union [EU]. An MRA sets out the terms for the recognition of qualifications required to practice architecture in countries signing this agreement.
This preliminary meeting involved representation of architects from CARIFORUM [CARICOM plus the Dominican Republic and Haiti], the inputs of various regional Boards of Architecture and the project consultants to determine the terms for the upcoming negotiations with EU counterparts. This technical assistance project is funded by the EU as part of their obligation under the Economic Partnership Agreement [EPA] signed between CARIFORUM member states and the European Union, which for the first time in history includes the trade of services.
The regional regulatory environment, both existing and in some cases being developed needs to be analysed in order to foster a spirit of Free Trade, which is at the heart of the EPA. The EPA/MRA negotiations represent an opportunity for the regulatory strengthening of the practice of architecture in the Caribbean. Stronger institutes and effective regulation will help to raise standards and promote more meaningful local participation in projects within the region and, ultimately, help increase our global competitiveness.
Below: regional architects meet in the Dominican Republic to develop an MRA between CARIFORUM and EU Architects
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