In 2008 the EWB Conference will look at how development programs are ensuring access to and effective use of knowledge, resources and technology in communities here in Australia and around the world.

The unique role of engineers in assisting disadvantaged communities to gain and leverage this access will be explored over three stimulating days of presentations, discussions and activities.

REGISTRATIONS NOW OPEN!

Numbers will be capped at between 250 and 300 people, so book your place now!

EARLY BIRD DEALS AVAILABLE UNTIL AUGUST 31ST!

The Engineers Without Borders Conference will bring together professionals and students from a variety of disciplines to explore the role of development programs in creating and leveraging access to knowledge, resources and technology. Using the technical sectors in which EWB works as a focus, core development principles will be explored in hands on, theory based and group work sessions.

• Day 1 - Water and Sanitation

In the United Nations International Year of Sanitation, this day will look at these well known technical areas from new perspectives. With a focus on sanitation Day 1 will look at the implications of increased and improved water supply and the intrinsic role of health, hygiene and education in improving community livelihoods.

• Day 2 - Accessibility

This will focus on the enabling aspect of technologies, with an emphasis on information communication technologies and bio-mechanics. In addition to the direct impacts of these technologies, issues of project impacts and evaluation methods will be discussed.

• Day 3 - Built Environment

This day will look at how energy, power, infrastructure and design can be truly community focused. On this day delegates will also have the opportunity to participate in depth community development simulation activities.

The 2008 Conference will allow delegates to build on last year’s conference by focusing on applying development theories to EWB’s areas of program expertise. Issues of gender, community engagement and effective partnerships will be explored within the context of specific technical sectors.

EWB’s “Four Cs to Development” will also become central to the conference theme. While exploring each technical sector delegates will:

• Become CONSCIOUS, often in new ways, of the relationship technical sectors have to community development

• Grow CONCERNED by hearing stories of how these sectors impact on communities around the world

• COMPREHEND the complexities of the situation both by listening to national and international experts explore issues in detail and by participating in hands on activities

• CHALLENGE themselves by planning for and committing to actions inspired by conference content

Delegates will also have the opportunity to participate in depth community development simulation activities during the conference.