The annual congress
The annual congresses determine the image of IFHP. They are attended by up to a thousand professionals from all over the world and offer participants ample opportunity to have contacts with high-ranking officials of national governments, housing executives, university professors, building contractors etc. Primarily, however, an IFHP congress is an event at which outstanding achievements, new insights and the results of experimentation are brought together and presented to a broad audience.
The theme of the congress reflects a topical housing and planning issue and is related to the location of the congress - in most cases a metropolitan or medium-sized city in one of the countries in which IFHP has members. Experts of international standing are invited to talk on the theme. Their lectures form the main programme of the congress.
A congress usually last for five days and in addition to lectures includes workshops, study visits, a social programme reflecting national or regional customs and an accompanying persons' programme. Pre- and post-congress tours form an additional element.