ENGINEERING BODIES JOIN TOGETHER IN EFFORT TO AID COMMUNITIES
The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), Engineering Against Poverty (EAP), RedR and Engineering Without Borders (EWB) have today signed an official Memorandum of Understanding to promote a collaborative approach to aiding communities in need.
Basic infrastructure underpins our quality of life, drives economic development and enables societies to function effectively. Access to clean water, sewage systems and food and supplies via reliable transport networks is key to addressing poverty. However it is estimated that globally more than 1 billion people lack access to roads, 1.2 billion do not have safe drinking water, 2.3 billion have no reliable sources of energy, and 2.4 billion lack sanitation facilities[1].
The four international bodies share a common mission - to respond to communities in need, to fight poverty, to promote sustainable development and to provide a better life for all people. By signing the memorandum they hope to increase the contribution, and further promote the role of engineering, technology and innovation in achieving this mission.
Speaking on behalf of the alliance, ICE president Paul Jowitt said:
“Engineering, technology and innovation are crucial in the fight against poverty, in rebuilding disaster-stricken communities and in the mitigation of climate change. By uniting on this common cause we can strengthen our impact and make a real difference to those in need.
“Issues of global water security, increasing population, urbanisation and climate change mean the world we live in is changing rapidly and we require innovative solutions to meet these new challenges.“
The three objectives of the agreement are:
- a) To develop engineering, technology and innovation capabilities to respond to communities in need, to fight poverty, to promote sustainable development and to provide a better life for all people.
- b) To engage with government, industry and civil society to increase awareness of the positive and far-reaching impact of engineering, technology and innovation in the development of society.
- c) To promote internationally accepted good practice in terms of conduct, integrity, ethics, engineering standards and care for people and the environment.
Executive Director, Engineers Against Poverty Petter Matthews said:
“This partnership consolidates the trust and goodwill that has been built between our organisations over a number of years. Working together we will help to ensure that the engineering profession remains at the forefront of efforts to fight poverty and promote sustainable development.”
Chief Executive at Engineers Without Borders UK, Andrew Lamb said:
“Our four organisations are unique but we have a common message: engineers, and engineering, are central to the relief of poverty and suffering. I think the engineering community is re-awakening to this idea and that what we need to do now is to re-awaken the development and relief communities to engineering. This agreement sets the basis for some exciting collaborations in the future.”
Martin McCann, CEO RedR, said:
“By working together, across different organisational areas of expertise, we will be able to combine our strengths to have a greater impact on disaster relief worldwide. It is increasingly recognised that engineers play a key role in humanitarian relief and reconstruction efforts, providing essential technical expertise in areas such as WATSAN and shelter. “
For more information:
Emily Beadon,
ICE Media Relations,
t: 020 7665 2261,
e: emily.beadon@ice.org.uk
Notes to editors:
- The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) was founded in 1818 to ensure professionalism in civil engineering. It represents 80,000 qualified and student civil engineers in the UK and across the globe. The ICE has long worked with the government of the day to help it to achieve its objectives, and has worked with industry to ensure that construction and civil engineering remain major contributors to the UK economy and UK exports.
Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (2006).