About Engineers without borders canada
Engineers Without Borders Canada: Addressing Poverty and Inequality through International Development
Engineers Without Borders Canada (EWB Canada) is a Canadian international development nonprofit that seeks to address the crucial causes of poverty and inequality. The organization was founded in 2000 by a group of engineers who were passionate about using their skills to make a positive impact on the world. Since then, EWB Canada has grown into a vibrant community of over 40,000 members, including engineers, students, professionals, and volunteers.
The mission of EWB Canada is to create systemic change in developing communities by working with local partners to identify and address root causes of poverty. The organization believes that engineering can play a critical role in this process by providing innovative solutions to complex problems. EWB Canada's approach is based on three core principles: systems thinking, social innovation, and leadership development.
Systems thinking involves understanding the interconnectedness of different factors that contribute to poverty and inequality. This means looking beyond individual symptoms or issues and addressing underlying structural problems. Social innovation involves finding new ways to solve old problems by engaging with local communities and leveraging technology for social good. Leadership development involves empowering individuals within communities to take ownership of their own development processes.
EWB Canada's work focuses on four key areas: agriculture & food security; clean water & sanitation; energy access; and economic opportunity. In each area, the organization works closely with local partners to develop sustainable solutions that are tailored to the specific needs of each community.
In agriculture & food security, EWB Canada works with farmers in sub-Saharan Africa to improve crop yields through better farming practices and access to markets. The organization also supports initiatives aimed at reducing post-harvest losses due to poor storage facilities or lack of transportation infrastructure.
In clean water & sanitation, EWB Canada works with communities in rural areas where access to safe drinking water is limited or non-existent. The organization helps build wells or boreholes, install water pumps, and construct latrines to improve sanitation.
In energy access, EWB Canada works with communities that lack access to reliable electricity. The organization helps install solar panels or other renewable energy sources to power homes and businesses.
In economic opportunity, EWB Canada works with entrepreneurs and small business owners in developing countries to help them grow their businesses. The organization provides training in business skills such as marketing, finance, and management.
EWB Canada's work is guided by a set of core values that include humility, empathy, respect for diversity, collaboration, innovation, and excellence. These values are reflected in the organization's approach to development work and its commitment to building long-term partnerships with local communities.
One of the unique aspects of EWB Canada's work is its focus on leadership development. The organization believes that sustainable change can only be achieved if individuals within communities are empowered to take ownership of their own development processes. To this end, EWB Canada offers a range of programs aimed at developing leadership skills among its members and partners.
For example, the Junior Fellowship program provides recent graduates with an opportunity to gain hands-on experience working on development projects in Africa. The program focuses on building leadership skills through mentorship and training opportunities.
The African Leaders Program is another initiative aimed at developing leadership capacity within African communities. This program provides funding for African leaders who are working on innovative solutions to social problems in their own countries.
EWB Canada also offers a range of educational programs aimed at raising awareness about global issues among Canadian students. These programs include workshops on topics such as sustainable engineering practices or social entrepreneurship.
Overall, Engineers Without Borders Canada is an inspiring example of how engineering can be used for social good. Through its innovative approach to international development work and commitment to building long-term partnerships with local communities,EWB Canada has made a significant impact on reducing poverty and inequality around the world.