Engineering, Poverty and Development

Energy provides just one example of the many ways in which engineering can contribute to the alleviation of extreme poverty. An important part of this contribution has been summarised in the following way by Calestous Juma, Chair of the UN Millennium Project Science, Technology and Innovation Task Force  

The importance of these factors has also been identified by David King, Chief Scientific Advisor to the UK Government  

The key to sustainable development in Africa—that is, development that does not rely indefinitely on foreign aid—is the creation of in astructure. Part of this is a purely physical matter a question of civil engineering. The business and finance communities in African nations identify the lack of good roads, railways, air and water transpmt faculties, energy and water supplies, and telecommunications networks as one of the main obstacles to economic growth [10]. 

More particularly, there is a need for engineers of aU sub-discipUnes to take an active role in poverty reduction and sustainable development. The next section seeks to provide a basic understanding of why this is so and also seeks to indicate ways in which such action may be promoted. 

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Chemistry means the difference between poverty and starvation and the abundant life. The proper use of chemistry makes it possible for farmers to feed the world s ever-increasing population, for engineers to develop new means of transportation and communication that will bring the peoples of the world closer together, for doctors to cure the diseases of mankind, for manufacturers to produce the thousands of items that are necessary for better and richer living. 

Hales J, Taylor R, Mandy W, Miller M (2003) Evaluation of Employment Zones Report on a Cohort Survey of Long-Term Unemployed People in the Zones and a Matched Set of Comparison Areas. National Centre for Social Research, London Harker L (2006) Delivering on Child Poverty What Would It Take A Report for the Department of Work and Pensions, Cm 6951. HMSO, London Hasluck C (2002) The Re-Engineered New Deal 25 Plus. A Summary of Recent Evaluation Evidence. Employment Service Research and Development Report, WAE 137, Sheffield... 

Furthermore, all engineers can contribute to development by participation in initiatives such as the Technology Exchange Lab, an online platform for the sharing and discussion of ideas for innovative, locally implemented solutions to problems of poverty and sustainability [24]. 

Abstract Engineering, and engineering edncation, drive innovation, social, cultural and economic development, and are vital in addressing global challenges such as sustainability, climate change and poverty and the other UN Millennium Development Goals. 

My sincere hope in writing the present work is to provide a mechanism whereby issues related to the three great challenges that confront us today -security, poverty and under-development, and environmental sustainability - can be discussed in the context of the engineering profession. 

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