Engineers Without Borders Australia (EWB) is an Australian

non-profit A nonprofit organization (NPO), also known as a nonbusiness entity, nonprofit institution, not-for-profit organization, or simply a nonprofit, is a non-governmental (private) legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public, or so ...

organisation with 20 active chapters, operating nationally and internationally with the published aim of improving the quality of life of disadvantaged communities through education and the implementation of sustainable engineering projects. EWB Australia was established in 2003 by a group of engineers from Melbourne who were motivated to take action on the developmental front through

engineering Engineering is the practice of using natural science, mathematics, and the engineering design process to Problem solving#Engineering, solve problems within technology, increase efficiency and productivity, and improve Systems engineering, s ...

. In its declaration of aims on its website, EWB Australia outlines four principal areas of focus: # Clean Water, Sanitation and Hygiene # Appropriate Housing # Clean Energy # Digital Access EWB espouses a strengths-based approach to sustainable development and advocates the creation of systemic change through humanitarian engineering. The EWB declares support for the UN

Sustainable Development Goals The ''2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development'', adopted by all United Nations (UN) members in 2015, created 17 world Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The aim of these global goals is "peace and prosperity for people and the planet" – wh ...

, whose 17 goal areas it regards as replacing the

Millennium Development Goals In the United Nations, the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) were eight international development goals for the year 2015 created following the Millennium Summit, following the adoption of the United Nations Millennium Declaration. These w ...

, using them as part of the framework through which it operates in partnership with developing communities. The organisation offers assistance to entrepreneurs, ranging from problem identification to the design, implementation and support of solutions, with an emphasis on education and training. EWB engages with engineering students, professionals in the industry as well as the broader community in three key areas: Programs (Projects), Education and

Advocacy Advocacy is an Action (philosophy), activity by an individual or advocacy group, group that aims to influence decision making, decisions within political, economic, and social institutions. Advocacy includes activities and publications to infl ...

. In its 2005 Conference held at the

University of Melbourne The University of Melbourne (colloquially known as Melbourne University) is a public university, public research university located in Melbourne, Australia. Founded in 1853, it is Australia's second oldest university and the oldest in the state ...

, "necessary steps and actions to foster effective development at the grass roots, and identify the social, cultural, economic, and environmental aspects of development work" were tabled for debate. At its ''Engage 2009'' National Conference, prominent reporter Eric Campbell gave a talk entitled 'Reporting on the World'. The 2011 Conference was held at

Fremantle Fremantle () () is a port city in Western Australia located at the mouth of the Swan River (Western Australia), Swan River in the metropolitan area of Perth, the state capital. Fremantle Harbour serves as the port of Perth. The Western Australi ...

with a focus on "undergraduate engineering experience, with engineering academics from all around the world presenting on their research and practice". In 2017 EWB granted an Innovation Award to students at the

University of Canterbury The University of Canterbury (UC; ; postnominal abbreviation ''Cantuar.'' or ''Cant.'' for ''Cantuariensis'', the Latin name for Canterbury) is a public research university based in Christchurch, New Zealand. It was founded in 1873 as Canterbur ...

(New Zealand) In Financial Year 2019, EWB reported AUD$4.6mil in income.

References

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External links

EWB Australia official websiteEWB YouTube channel
(

YouTube YouTube is an American social media and online video sharing platform owned by Google. YouTube was founded on February 14, 2005, by Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawed Karim who were three former employees of PayPal. Headquartered in ...

)

Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country comprising mainland Australia, the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania and list of islands of Australia, numerous smaller isl ...

Appropriate technology organizations Development charities based in Australia Organizations established in 2003 Non-profit organisations based in Victoria (state)