Engineers without borders and their role in humanitarian relief

Since the foundation of the first national Engineers Without Borders (EWB) organization, or Ingenieurs San Frontieres (ISF-France), EWB-affiliated national organizations have been formed in many countries around the world. All EWB-affiliated organizations share the same vision: a world where all people have access to basic resources and knowledge to meet their self-identified engineering and economic development needs. EWB members want to contribute to new and ongoing development projects around the world in an effective way and at the same time promote new dimensions of experience for engineering students and practicing engineers. The mission of all EWB-affiliated organizations is to support disadvantaged communities in improving their living standard, welfare, livelihood, and quality of life through the implementation of environmentally and economically sustainable engineering projects, while developing internationally responsible engineering students and professionals. EWB members believe in change that can contribute positively to the communities in which they work, in common action to provide new solutions, and in working to interrupt the cycle of poverty that contributes to terrorism and the rejection of democracy. A deeper cooperation between the national EWBs within the framework of EWB-International will also be valuable for students wanting to participate in projects in the third world. This international cooperation could consist of an exchange of experience, allowing project team members from other countries and support to students from other countries wanting to utilize infrastructure and local contacts at a specific site developed by a national EWB organization.