The Year of Humanitarian Engineering was an opportunity to celebrate and mainstream pro bono engineering within Australia. Since then, EWB has released the Snapshot to Pro Bono Engineering Report () and the #probonopledge campaign that asked engineers and CEOs across the country to make a personal commitment to pro bono work in /.
In Australia, there are exceptional skills in science, engineering design and technology that are critical to everyday well-being and human development. Yet, there is a gap in access to appropriate and sustainable engineering services for communities. EWB Connect provides a platform to connect community organisations with engineering and other technically specialised organisations that provide engineering services on a pro bono or reduced fee basis.
Engineering companies Arup, DNV GL and Aurecon are the first three Business Members to join EWB Connect, pledging to financially support the program in its first year. Arup is also the Foundation Partner and is providing seed funding to kick-start the program.
“Aurecon believes strongly in improving the lives of the communities in which we live and work. We are excited to be one of the founding members of EWB Connect as we see pro bono engineering as a fantastic way to utilise our engineering skills to assist those communities that couldn&#;t otherwise afford it. Having a structured program like EWB Connect is a win-win partnership for our staff, our organisation and the community,” said Aurecon Associate Trevor Sharrock.
EWB has a pipeline of community projects that are now seeking engineering support. The EWB Connect message has been spreading through boardrooms and corporate offices through a series of events. Most recently, on June Minter Ellison hosted a boardroom luncheon for construction companies interested in finding out how they could get involved in pro bono engineering.
Suggest a community project that requires technical assistance or become a Community or Business Member today by contacting:
Sunny Oliver-BennettsEWB ConnectEngineers Without Borders Australias.oliver-bennetts@ewb.org.au
Learn more by downloading the EWB Connect brochure.