Prologue: Latin American Conference of Schools and Faculties of Architecture XXVIII CLEFA, October 2–6, 2023

Since 1959, the Latin American Conference of Schools and Faculties of Architecture (CLEFA) has established itself as one of the most important academic forums for reflection on the teaching and professional practice of architecture in Latin America. It was born in a context of urban transformation, the search for regional identity, and social redefinitions that profoundly marked the future of architecture. Over six decades, CLEFA has been both a witness and a protagonist in pedagogical debates, tensions between tradition and modernity, and the challenges posed by globalization in the professional practice of architecture.
Throughout its history, and with twenty-eight editions, CLEFA has brought together representatives from 22 Latin American countries, as well as guests from other parts of the world who have enriched the debate from a global perspective. In this sense, CLEFA has become a platform for inter-institutional and intercultural dialogue, strengthening the commitment of the Union of Schools and Faculties of Architecture of Latin America (UDEFAL) to academic quality, cooperation, and the construction of
critical thinking around architecture.