UAP`s #GetAnArchitect honored at the PCAAE's ANG SUSI Awards 2019

November 29, 2019 | By: UAP Keeping You Posted

The United Architects of the Philippines’ (UAP) “#GetAnArchitect” advocacy campaign was honored in the recently ANG SUSI Awards 2019 by the Philippine Council of Associations and Association Executives (PCAAE), dubbed as an “association of associations” during the 7th PCAAE's Association Summit held on November 27, 2019 at the Philippine International Convention Center, Pasay City, Philippines.

The #GetAnArchitect is an advocacy campaign of the UAP, a multi-awarded professional organization of architects, which aims to highlight the role of architects as thought and action leaders in improving cities, towns and neighborhoods, and be a force of positive social change. The UAP partnered with various stakeholders to push the advocacy campaign, which involves using mainstream and social media to promote the good work of architects, encourage UAP chapters and members to tell their stories about their respective initiatives, and advertise in public places in coordination with local government units.

In his acceptance message, UAP National President Arch. Benjamin K. Panganiban, Jr. stressed that “UAP believes that it is through #GetAnArchitect advocacy program that it can advocate the architect’s ability to positively impact the communities in which we live and work. We aim to make these impacts in many ways: promote the value of architects and the architecture profession and demonstrate how we can help solve the important issues of our time, shape and improve the built environment around us, by forming and maintaining strong relationships with allied professionals and stakeholders (i.e. manufacturers and suppliers), educate the public in several areas such as sustainable design, historic preservation and others, expand and strengthen relationships with local and national government officials and agencies to position architects as strong advocates for the value of design in solving larger community issues, support architects in public service by regularly communicating with them about issues of concern and developing resources they can use to effectively advocate for the profession, develop a platform for monitoring issues of professional interest and getting the word out to our membership and the communities that we serve”.

With only months of implementation, the #GetAnArchitect advocacy program drew wide support from various stakeholders, friends from the construction of industry and built environment, various media platforms and the general public. Last July 2019, the said advocacy campaign was honored by the Europe Business Assembly (EBA) in Milan, Italy through its The International Achievements Award 2019.

The “ANG SUSI Awards” symbolizes the key contribution that associations and association executives give to the national sustainable development.

ANG SUSI stands for Associations Nurture National Growth through Social Unity and Sustainability Innovations. It has both institutional and individual awards. Translated to English, it means “The Key.”

The institutional “Outstanding Project Awards” are given to associations in recognition to their achievements that have made an impact and contribution to national sustainable development and in helping the environment, empowering people, serving communities, enhancing trade and industry, developing technology solutions, and for being agent of change.

The six categories are environmental impact, people empowerment, community service, industry development, technology innovation and change catalyst. Winning members were: ASKI Foundation, Inc. for its project on “Building Resilient Communities through Disaster Preparedness” (Environmental Impact Category); and for its project on “Implementation of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Program in Rural Communities” (Community Service Category); CFA Society Philippines for its project on “Philippine Junior Finance and Investment Summit 2019” (People Empowerment Category);); Philippine Retailers Association for its project on “The Retail Executive Circle Breakfast Forum (RETAILREX) (Industry Service Category); and, United Architects of the Philippines for its project on “#GetAnArchitect” (Change Catalyst Category).

PCAAE has over 1,000 members and supporters. It was launched on Nov. 20, 2013 to further advance association governance and management in member-serving organizations in the country.

UAP is an institutional member of the PCAAE and received its certificate of membership in June 2018.