May 31, 2010—The American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) recently announced a strategic collaboration between the two agencies to advance the mission of a more sustainable built environment.

The two groups defined a three-year action plan that includes:

• Collaboration around Haiti relief and future disasters;
• Unified sustainability advocacy agenda, including development of "issue briefs" and ongoing joint action on such topics of common concern as green affordable housing, green schools and green healthcare facilities;
• Coordinated educational activity such as "reciprocal credit" for educational sessions that support each group's credentials, the creation of a joint speakers registry, providing links to each other's education Web pages related to sustainable design, creating a common calendar, and jointly utilizing each organization's conference as educational platforms; and
• Coordinated research opportunities in areas of common interest.

The two organizations believe that they are significantly strengthened through this focused collaboration and that working together advances both of their missions, according to a joint statement released by the two presidents.