Engineers Without Borders

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EWB @ Maker Faire 2008
EWB @ Maker Faire 2008

The name Engineers Without Borders (abbreviated EWB; the French translation Ingénieurs Sans Frontières or ISF is also commonly seen) is used by a number of non-governmental organizations in several countries, which are involved in engineering-related international development work. As many of these organizations developed independently, they are not formally affiliated with each other, and their level of collaboration varies.

Some EWB organizations have created an informal international network, Engineers Without Borders International, to unite their actions. However, unlike many international NGOs, each national group is fully independent and autonomous. Member of EWB International include EWB-USA and Engineers Without Borders (UK)

As most EWB members' development projects are generally small scale grass-roots partnerships, this is in part to reduce the red tape and various bureaucratic overhead costs associated with large organizations.

Moreover, due to their diverse origins, there is some disagreement between the various EWB groups regarding appropriate approaches to international development. For instance, the U.S. organization focuses on chapter-based design projects involving short assessment / implementation trips to the community in question.[1] In contrast, EWB Canada puts a greater emphasis on capacity building, long-term volunteer work, and domestic outreach.[2][3]

As a result of these differences, EWB Australia, EWB Canada, EWB-UK, ISF Spain, ISF Italy and ISF France have no formal involvement in EWB International, which is largely led by the U.S. organization.[4] However, many of these non-EWBI groups do have some "informal affiliations" with each other, with the U.S.-based Engineers for a Sustainable World, and occasionally with the EWB International organizations.[5]

Contents

[edit] Selected EWB organizations

[edit] See also

  • Without Borders, for similar organisations in different fields
  • Sustainable engineering

[edit] External links

For some additional Engineers Without Borders organizations, see EWB International's "Members" list, as well as EWB Canada's list of similar organizations. Note that these lists are not exhaustive; additional groups may exist.

[edit] References

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