News

Landscape Institute Shared Values

21st February 2008

Last July, members of Council took part in a workshop exploring the Institute's shared values, with facilitator Jane Goldsmith.

It was a great morning which took us away from the formal business of Council and got us all talking about who we are, what we do, what we care about and what we need to say about ourselves to the outside world.

Jane put us through our paces to come up with something we could all feel happy signing up to.

This is important work because of the fragmented nature of landscape architecture and the wide range of activities which members of the Institute engage in. We need to combine around the things we share and which make us feel good rather than the things which divide us. That way we can be more effective as an organisation and profession - we can campaign effectively, influence people and be better understood.

The Institute had already adopted two other parts of the 'must have' basics of corporate communications - a Vision and Mission. These are, in case you've forgotten:

Vision: A thriving society and environment through inspirational places

Mission: To build the professional community of landscape architects in the service of the public interest.

Earlier this month the Executive Committee looked at all the outputs of the July workshop which had been distilled with Jane Goldsmith's help into something concise. They have now adopted the following as a statement of the shared values articulated that day by the representatives of the members in Council:

These are the values shared by Landscape Institute members, staff and volunteers:

Inclusiveness – we work collaboratively, seeking consensus, solving problems and conflicts, and respecting a broad range of views and contributions.

Inspiration – we encourage our members to create inspirational landscapes that bring joy, optimism, well-being and environmental gain.

Passion – we are passionate champions of the life-enhancing character of high quality landscapes and take a lead in communicating the importance of landscape.

Empowerment – we seek to empower the communities we work with by actively engaging with them and understanding their needs and values.

Professionalism – we take responsibility for high standards in our approach to work and endeavour to be fair, equitable and transparent in the conduct of our affairs.

I hope you will find these represent your values too and give you a positive sense of the professional community you belong to.

Marion Bowman
Director General