SAFA
In Finland, the first experiments in general education in architecture were made in the 1980s. Architectural education has been carried out with adults and children and it has been arranged by both public (museums, educational establishments) and private interests; it has been organized on the basis of the school curriculum and as a leisure-time activity. Projects have differed from each other considerably. At the initiative of SAFA, the Finnish Association of Architects, a report was commissioned on general (or civic) education in architecture in Finland, entitled Askeleita arkkitehtuurissa (Discovering Architecture), which was completed in 2001. The work on compiling and publishing the report was funded by the Arts Council of Finland.
General education in architecture involves environmental education associated with the built environment, education about the cultural heritage and basic art education. Its main aim is to help people to understand the following:
· the impact that the quality of the built environment has on the wellbeing of the individual and society;
· that the built environment as a mode of human life is firmly linked with the natural environment and is a part of it;
· that the environment of today has been formed as a result of historical development;
· what our responsibility for the built environment is and how our own activities affect it;
· how the planning process works and how and when is the right time to make an impact;
· that they can actively influence their own living environment and the way it is formed, and to encourage them to do so.