Engineers Without Borders Australia (EWB) is an Australian

non-profit A nonprofit organization (NPO) or non-profit organisation, also known as a non-business entity, not-for-profit organization, or nonprofit institution, is a legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public or social benefit, in co ...

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 Sustainable engineering is the process of designing or operating systems such that they use energy and resources sustainably, in other words, at a rate that does not compromise the natural environment, or the ability of future generations to meet ...

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 use of scientific method, scientific principles to design and build machines, structures, and other items, including bridges, tunnels, roads, vehicles, and buildings. The discipline of engineering encompasses a broad rang ...

. 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 Humanitarian engineering is the application of engineering for humanitarian aid purposes. As a meta-discipline of engineering, humanitarian engineering combines multiple engineering disciplines in order to address many of the world's crises and hum ...

. The EWB declares support for the UN

Sustainable Development Goals The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) or Global Goals are a collection of 17 interlinked objectives designed to serve as a "shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future".United Nations (2017) R ...

, whose 17 goal areas it regards as replacing the

Millennium Development Goals The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) were eight international development goals for the year 2015 that had been established following the Millennium Summit of the United Nations in 2000, following the adoption of the United Nations Millenniu ...

, 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 is a public research university located in Melbourne, Australia. Founded in 1853, it is Australia's second oldest university and the oldest in Victoria. Its main campus is located in Parkville, an inner suburb nor ...

, "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 in the metropolitan area of Perth, the state capital. Fremantle Harbour serves as the port of Perth. The Western Australian vernacular diminutive for ...

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 ( mi, Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha; postnominal abbreviation ''Cantuar.'' or ''Cant.'' for ''Cantuariensis'', the Latin name for Canterbury) is a public research university based in Christchurch, New Zealand. It was ...

(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 a global online video platform, online video sharing and social media, social media platform headquartered in San Bruno, California. It was launched on February 14, 2005, by Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawed Karim. It is owned by ...

)

Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...

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