AIArchitect, March 15, 2004 - Three New e-Classroom Courses Bring the AIA Grassroots Leadership Conference to Your Desk

03/2004

Three New e-Classroom Courses Bring the AIA Grassroots Leadership Conference to Your Desk

The AIA is offering presentations from the Grassroots Leadership Conference March 3–6 free to all AIA members via AIA eClassroom distance education learning programs. The three courses are:

Course AIA23, “The Role of Architects in Advancing Environmental Stewardship,” features newly appointed EPA Administrator Mike Leavitt voicing his strong support for the AIA Committee on the Environment, Center for Livable Communities, and Regional/Urban Design Assistance Team programs. He also shares his view of the key environmental issues facing architects today, as well as his outlook on air quality, clean and safe water, land preservation, and healthy ecosystems and communities. For details, visit the AIA eClassroom site.

Course AIA24, “Getting the Message Across,” features pollster Frank Luntz, PhD, speaking to the AIA Grassroots 2004 assembly on the conference’s Advocacy Day. Luntz spoke to the group about how to develop a message that will shape a favorable public understanding of what architects do so that the voice of the profession is heard when important decisions are being made. Specifically, you’ll learn why Luntz considers architect to be best suited to be caretakers of the community, and how to get that message across to community decision makers. For details, visit the AIA eClassroom site.

Course AIA25, “Health in the Built Environment,” shows Richard Jackson, MD, MPH, senior advisor to the director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, addressing the AIA Grassroots 2004 assembly on the conference’s Advocacy Day. Dr. Jackson discusses the connection between public health and the built environment, using statistics on the alarming rise of obesity, asthma, diabetes, mental disorders, and other chronic illnesses to illustrate the harmful effects a poorly designed environment can have on health. He also discusses how architects can help to improve public health by designing environments that encourage physical activity, reduce pollution, and increase exposure to nature. For details, visit the AIA eClassroom site.

Each course offers one AIA/CES learning unit. For optimum viewing of streaming video, we recommend a high-speed Internet connection. To view all AIA eClassroom programs, visit http://eclassroom.aia.org/.