SPECIAL FEATURE
something we need to tackle urgently, but yet we still haven’t met the targets that have been set at COP, and so we’re still very far behind on this. So, this prompts the question how can we as engineers try to make this change, and what are the impacts going to be on society as a whole? I think that is one of the most pressing things that we need to come together as a collective of engineers to address.” In addition, water and sanitation are
recurring challenges due to changing urban environments, population growth and land use. “Access to water, food scarcity, environmental degradation – all of these are topics that are also linked to climate change, but on a very local level. The people suffering most are often the poorest and most underserved among us, and that’s where EWB organisations aim to help where necessary,” he adds.
COLLABORATION HOLDS THE KEY With so many EWB organisations established around the world, Sanjiv Indran believes there is a huge opportunity to bring the movement together to make a tangible collective impact to accelerate progress in tackling these issues. “The driving force of EWB is to
represent the global engineering movement,” he explains. “We’ve identified several key drivers to achieve this. The first is to identify and build the global identity of EWB and the brand itself to implement a collective ownership structure, so that all EWB members no matter their size or resources can find their footing and have an impact in their own communities. This leads to having a collective voice on a much larger scale, giving us the ability to effect significant change.” Sanjiv Indran’s home country of
Malaysia will host the EWB’s first Global Summit in November, which will bring together representatives of EWB organisations from across the globe to identify actionable impact initiatives for the global EWB movement. The summit will address several key topics, such as critical infrastructure for underserved communities, research and innovation for relevant engineering solutions, building engineering capacity, and
A huge opportunity lies ahead to bring EWB’s member organisations together
growing the global EWB network as a powerful force. “We want to bring as many EWB
organisations together to stand in one voice, deliver what we stand for, and discuss how we will move forwards in addressing these key global challenges,” Sanjiv Indran says. “We are really excited about what the future may bring for all of us as we find our footing and place in the world. This is testament to what all our founders worldwide in the different organisations have brought to the table in terms of making a difference. That has led to where we are at this point, and now it is up to us
as the new standard-bearers to carry that journey onwards to make real a difference to people’s lives.” The timing of EWB’s Global Summit
is notable, as 2024 signifies the halfway mark to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). With 37% of goals currently stagnating or even regressing, there is an urgent need for global collaboration and to combine resources to prevent future climate disasters.
For more information visit
www.ewb-international.org
www.engineerlive.com 45
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