Premier’s Delegation to Shandong

Last month I outlined the work that the SA Chapter office and Chapter Council have been doing to prepare for the Institute’s participation in Premier Jay Weatherill’s trade mission to the Shandong Province in China, which commences next Sunday evening in Jinan.

Since then there has been much going on behind the scenes to first develop our message, and then prepare material and presentations to support that message.

The main challenge is to be clear about what it is that we can offer as a sector that the Chinese government, business and community will consider unique and interesting. This is an international field that we are playing on, and many other countries are engaging heavily with China as well.

Our discussions will be around liveability, and will include our expertise in health, aged care and education.

Our message will be that Adelaide’s enviable reputation as a liveable city did not come about by accident – design has played a significant part in the city we experience today, including the physical layout, the systems and processes we have established and the projects themselves. It will also paint a picture of a city that is worth investing in. It is a message that we hope will resonate with our Chinese counterparts throughout the mission and pique their interest in what South Australia is doing well.

In the lead up to a return Chinese delegation visit to South Australia in September, we anticipate that we will be engaging further with the design sector here in South Australia to develop our message, so if you are interested in participating in these conversations or have some thoughts to offer, please get in touch with Nicolette Di Lernia, SA Chapter Manager on 8402 5900, or send me an email at sa@architecture.com.au

David Homburg, SA Chapter President