Summary: The AIA and the Boston Society of Architects/AIA invite you to Boston May 15–17 for the AIA 2008 National Convention and Design Exposition. This year's theme is “We the People,” which will explore the power of architecture on behalf of all people and society. It's the right topic for a growing profession that has been challenged to engage the public in designing a more sustainable world.

This year’s theme of “We the People” embraces five major realms of exploration:

• Where We Live examines case studies of the work of architects addressing issues related to home and housing
• Where We Work explores the radical transformation taking place in the workplace, not only from the perspective of place and furniture but also location and proximity to home
• Our Place in the World presents alternate roles for the architect through national and world leaders who know what is expected and what is demanded of those who wish to lead
• How We Come Together investigates new forms of communication as we look at how we reinforce and build upon traditional environments
• Our Place on the Land explores restorative and regenerative approaches to high-performance buildings as one of the opportunities for architects to embrace as a continuing challenge for the profession into the future.
  

Theme speakers lead the exploration
This year, the AIA welcomes three distinguished speakers to lead these themes into discussions on three overarching challenges of architecture today: sustainability, security, and diversity.

GS01 "Sustainable Design"
Thursday, May 15, 8:15-10 a.m.
Millard Fuller will speak on sustainable design. The founder of Habitat for Humanity, Fuller has been honored with countless awards, including, in 1996, the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

GS02 "Urban Security in the 21st Century"
Friday, May 16, 10-11:30 a.m.
Thomas Vonier, FAIA, RIBA, will moderate a panel discussion on “Urban Security in the 21st Century,” through which panelists will present and debate new ways to make cities and citizens safer while enhancing the quality of urban life.

GS03 "Forty Years—The Anniversary of Whitney Young's Presentation to the Institute"
Saturday, May 17, 2:30-4 p.m.
Ambassador Andrew Young will tackle “Forty Years—The Anniversary of Whitney Young’s Presentation to the Institute.” It was in this speech that Whitney M. Young Jr. challenged the architecture profession to take a greater role in helping to right the injustices of society. (The speech also became an inspiration for the Whitney M. Young Jr. Award, which the AIA presents annually to the architect or architecturally oriented organization that exemplifies the profession’s responsibility toward current social issues.)