The cycle (which will use English as its working language) will commence at 7 pm on Thursday, 22 January 2015, with a discussion between architect Nathaniel Corum from Architecture for Humanity and Carmen Mendoza, the Co-Director of the Master’s Programme in International Cooperation and Sustainable Emergency Architecture. Through Architecture for Humanity, Boston-born Nathaniel Corum develops architectural solutions to humanitarian crises and provides services to deprived communities. He has lent assistance following the tsunami in Japan, the floods in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) and the earthquakes in Christchurch (New Zealand) and Port-au-Prince (Haiti).

The dialogues will take the form of discussions between two experts and aims to encourage debate on the problems that arise from the implementation of architectural and design projects, particularly in the fields of urban development and construction.

Rapid urbanization has caused large-scale problems that represent major challenges, but also provide opportunities to achieve a fairer, more sustainable future. By adopting the discussion format, the conference cycle aims to raise the awareness of the general public and professionals from the world of architecture about the key topics tackled in the master’s programme – namely, sustainable urban development, the effects of mass migration on cities, citizen participation, reducing the risk of disasters and responding to those that occur.

Representatives from leading agencies and NGOs in the field of development will be invited to participate in the discussions alongside members of the UIC's ESARQ School of Architecture teaching staff, who will interview their guests and encourage a lively dialogue. This should lead to a discussion in which the general public can also take part.

From January to April, the Roca Barcelona Gallery will host one dialogue per month at 7 pm. After the inaugural conference on Thursday, 22 January 2015 (http://www.100x100eventos.com/gifs/roca/gif-roca4.gif), the following sessions are scheduled: 

On Thursday, 5 March 2015, Dan Lewis from UN-HABITAT and the Urban Resilience Institute will participate in the second conference, accompanied by Professor Hugh March. Canada-born Dan Lewis boasts more than 30 years of experience in the field of humanitarian and development work and currently manages the global funds used by UN-HABITAT to deal with the impact of political conflicts and natural disasters in Africa, the Middle East, South and Southeast Asia, the South Pacific and both North and South America. 

The third session in the dialogue series will be held on Thursday, 26 March 2015, featuring Susana Oliver from World Vision and the lecturer and architect Emilio Hormias. It will also enjoy the support of the We Are Water Foundation. Susana Oliver is the Head of the Projects Department at World Vision, a Christian organization with a global outlook that has been helping the needy children and families of the world since 1950. It is currently active in 98 different countries and provides assistance to over four million children around the world thanks to the help of the sponsors, members and donors who lend their support to the organization. 

Next up are Teddy Cruz from the Center for Urban Ecologies and the architect and critic Fredy Massad, who will draw the cycle to a close with a conference on Tuesday, 21 April 2015. Teddy Cruz was born in Guatemala and is currently a Professor of Urban Development at the University of California, San Diego. His research work focuses on the specific nature of the urban development and architecture on the border between Mexico and the United States, while his work as an architect has garnered various international accolades, including the American Academy of Arts and Letters Award in Architecture and a nomination by Fast Company magazine as one of the 50 most influential designers in the United States.