The Order of Surveyors (OGE) is undertaking a reform of its governance and is presenting its purpose and that of the profession.

Séverine Vernet, President of the High Council of the OGE, took the opportunity to explain the institution's and the profession's purpose, while also addressing the challenges of this initiative. Finally, she presented the governance reform of the Order that she intends to implement during her term.

Two reasons for strengthening the legitimacy and missions of the Order and the profession in service to society

Séverine Vernet unveiled the rationale behind the institution and the profession at the opening of these first Ordinary Conferences. These two texts are the result of in-depth work on the legitimacy of the Order, on the one hand, and the role of the land surveyor in society, on the other.

The purpose of the Order of Surveyors

"The Order of Surveyors brings together all members authorized to practice the profession, ensuring its representation, strategic development, and sustainability. As a supervisory authority, it establishes standards and ensures compliance with ethical rules, technical and legal standards, and the quality of services provided. A key partner for public and private stakeholders, the Order embodies the profession's purpose in society. It works to address climate, environmental, economic, and societal challenges."

The raison d'être of the land surveyor profession

"Through his impartiality, his rigor, and the diversity of his expertise, the land surveyor guarantees the accuracy of the measurement of spaces and property boundaries. He participates in securing the land system, property, and housing. He contributes to the sustainable development of territories and the design of harmonious living environments. The land surveyor is thus an agent of social peace."

The president of the OGE's High Council recalled the issues that led the institution and the profession to adopt these two guidelines:

“Until now, the Order’s raison d’être, as well as its legitimacy, was based on our founding law of 1946. This text, which will soon celebrate its 80th anniversary, of course retains all its value, but the time had come to update its spirit. We needed to collectively redefine the legitimacy of the Order and the profession, in order to reaffirm our mission of public interest and our commitment to serving society.”

Furthermore, the consultations carried out in recent years with land surveyors on the future of the profession have brought forth a strong desire: that of anchoring the Order in a world in transformation, by giving it strategic and societal perspectives comparable to those of a mission-driven company.

Finally, this approach is firmly rooted in a forward-looking perspective: what role for the land surveyor and for our institution in the face of environmental and societal transitions? What role should we play and how can we contribute, in a concrete way, to the answers that society expects?

Marie-Anne Frison-Roche, Professor of Economic Law and Compliance Specialist who advised the Order of Surveyors in its deliberations, emphasized the legal significance of these texts: "These reasons for being concern you directly, but they also bind you to third parties. From now on, you will have to demonstrate that the actions you take produce credible effects to achieve the goals you have set for yourself."

A governance reform to gain cross-sectorality

Held under the banner of co-creation, these first Ordinary Conferences also illustrate the renewal of the institution's operations desired by Séverine Vernet. The President of the OGE's High Council intends, in particular, to foster a new, more cross-functional and less top-down dynamic to strengthen the role and initiatives of the regional councils. This ambition will be realized through a reduction in the number of committees—only four core committees will be maintained—and a project-based approach to increase agility and efficiency.

The two days of work were structured around collaborative workshops designed to generate new projects on land tenure security, the attractiveness of the profession, environmental transition, AI, etc. Their conclusions form the cornerstone of the OGE's future strategic plan, which will be officially unveiled on January 20th.