EWB@ASU About

The Need

Global population is over six billion people in this present world of rapidly increasing technology and incredible wealth. However:

3 billion people live on less than $2 per day
800 million people are chronically undernourished
1.3 billion people have no access to clean water
2.6 billion people do not have adequate sanitation
1.3 billion people lack adequate housing
6 million children die annually from preventable water-borne diseases

World population will reach 8 billion in under 20 years. The vast majority of that growth will occur in developing countries.

The scale of this problem requires a new way of thinking, and a new form of engineering, one that emphasizes building the capacity of community members to enact positive change. Capacity building is the building of human, institutional and infrastructure capacity to help societies develop secure, stable, and sustainable economies, governments, and other institutions through mentoring, training, education, physical projects, the infusion of financial and other resources, and most importantly, the motivation and inspiration of the people to improve their lives.

This definition is the backbone of EWB's activities. EWB's projects stress community partnership, reliable and sustainable technology, and the importance of education, training and empowerment in creating a lasting, positive effect.

About EWB-USA

Engineers Without Borders - USA (EWB-USA) is a non-profit humanitarian organization established to partner with developing communities worldwide in order to improve their quality of life. This partnership involves the implementation of sustainable engineering projects while involving and training internationally responsible engineers and engineering students.

The activities of EWB-USA range from the construction of sustainable systems that developing communities can own and operate without external assistance, to empowering such communities by enhancing local technical, managerial, and entrepreneurial skills. These projects are initiated by, and completed with, contributions from the host community working with our project teams.

EWB-USA contributes to meeting the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) through capacity building in community projects. Capacity building is defined in that context as "..the building (or strengthening) of human, institutional and infrastructure capacity to help societies develop secure, stable and sustainable economies, governments and other institutions through mentoring, training, education, physical projects, the infusion of financial and other resources, and most importantly, the motivation and inspiration of people to improve their lives" (Hatch, 2004).

EWB-USA is a non-profit 501(c)(3) tax exempt corporation created under the laws of the State of Colorado, USA. EWB-USA was created in Fall 2000. EWB-USA is also a member of the Engineers Without Borders - International network.

About EWB-ASU

The Arizona State University chapter of Engineers Without Borders (EWB-ASU) was founded in August of 2004 with the goal of completing beneficial engineering projects that are environmentally and economically sustainable in our own communities as well as in communities in developing countries. EWB-ASU is affiliated with the Fulton School of Engineering and the Global Institute of Sustainability.

EWB-ASU is a completely volunteer, completely student-run organization. For professional engineering mentorship in our projects, we are working to develop a close partnership with EWB-Phoenix, the newly-forming local professional chapter of EWB. The founders of EWB-Phoenix include some recent graduates from ASU who are now beginning careers in environmental engineering, urban planning and other areas.

EWB-ASU is looking to establish partnerships with engineering (and other) companies with a local presence in Arizona, for financial and logistical support for our projects. Please contact us about potential partnership possibilities.


	*The Need* Global population is over six billion people in this present world of rapidly increasing technology and incredible wealth. However: 3 billion people live on less than $2 per day 800 million people are chronically undernourished 1.3 billion people have no access to clean water 2.6 billion people do not have adequate sanitation 1.3 billion people lack adequate housing 6 million children die annually from preventable water-borne diseases World population will reach 8 billion in under 20 years. The vast majority of that growth will occur in developing countries. The scale of this problem requires a new way of thinking, and a new form of engineering, one that emphasizes building the capacity of community members to enact positive change. Capacity building is the building of human, institutional and infrastructure capacity to help societies develop secure, stable, and sustainable economies, governments, and other institutions through mentoring, training, education, physical projects, the infusion of financial and other resources, and most importantly, the motivation and inspiration of the people to improve their lives. This definition is the backbone of EWB's activities. EWB's projects stress community partnership, reliable and sustainable technology, and the importance of education, training and empowerment in creating a lasting, positive effect. *About EWB-USA* Engineers Without Borders - USA (EWB-USA) is a non-profit humanitarian organization established to partner with developing communities worldwide in order to improve their quality of life. This partnership involves the implementation of sustainable engineering projects while involving and training internationally responsible engineers and engineering students. The activities of EWB-USA range from the construction of sustainable systems that developing communities can own and operate without external assistance, to empowering such communities by enhancing local technical, managerial, and entrepreneurial skills. These projects are initiated by, and completed with, contributions from the host community working with our project teams. EWB-USA contributes to meeting the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) through capacity building in community projects. Capacity building is defined in that context as "..the building (or strengthening) of human, institutional and infrastructure capacity to help societies develop secure, stable and sustainable economies, governments and other institutions through mentoring, training, education, physical projects, the infusion of financial and other resources, and most importantly, the motivation and inspiration of people to improve their lives" (Hatch, 2004). EWB-USA is a non-profit 501(c)(3) tax exempt corporation created under the laws of the State of Colorado, USA. EWB-USA was created in Fall 2000. EWB-USA is also a member of the Engineers Without Borders - International network. *About EWB-ASU* The Arizona State University chapter of Engineers Without Borders (EWB-ASU) was founded in August of 2004 with the goal of completing beneficial engineering projects that are environmentally and economically sustainable in our own communities as well as in communities in developing countries. EWB-ASU is affiliated with the Fulton School of Engineering and the Global Institute of Sustainability. EWB-ASU is a completely volunteer, completely student-run organization. For professional engineering mentorship in our projects, we are working to develop a close partnership with EWB-Phoenix, the newly-forming local professional chapter of EWB. The founders of EWB-Phoenix include some recent graduates from ASU who are now beginning careers in environmental engineering, urban planning and other areas. EWB-ASU is looking to establish partnerships with engineering (and other) companies with a local presence in Arizona, for financial and logistical support for our projects. Please contact us about potential partnership possibilities.