Civil engineers have a crucial role to play in helping meet the UN Millennium Development Goals by delivering the sustainable infrastructure underpinning economic growth in developing countries.
As a learned society ICE develops and shares best practice in engineering for development. The Institution also promotes the role of engineers in this field to Government, development agencies, donors and NGOs.
ICE has a long standing involvement in International Development. The Presidential Commission “Engineering without Frontiers” and Professor Paul Jowitt’s Brunel Lecture Engineering Civilisation from the Shadows demonstrated the engineering profession has a clear role and responsibility in working with others towards achieving the MDGs. The 2010 President’s Apprentice Scheme further addresses the challenges facing engineers engaged development work in An Engineering Project Delivery Plan for International Development and the UN MDGs.
The Institution collaborates with engineering organisations and NGOs worldwide in its development work. ICE signed a memorandum of understanding with Engineers Against Poverty, Engineers Without Borders UK and RedR to increase cooperation between the organisations. The Institution is the UK national member to the World Federation of Engineering Organisations (WFEO) and provides secretariat to the Commonwealth Engineers Council (CEC).
The International Development Policy Group leads ICE's international development activity, detailed in our briefing sheets. Key themes include:
The Appropriate Development Panel promotes appropriate technological solutions for sustainable development. Through public events discussing wide ranging appropriate development solutions, the panel aims to:
- Foster a greater understanding of appropriate technology and development issues between involved professionals.
- Promote and encourage widespread use of appropriate technology.
The ADP's strength arises from the broad base of professions represented in the panel. Members include representatives from Oxfam, Practical Action, the Global Transport Knowledge Partnership gTKP and DFID, the UK Department for International Development.
The ADP is currently organising a series of events on Practical Integrated Water Resource Management in collaboration with Oxfam and WaterAid.