Newsletter Issue 1 - November 2008
| EWB-UK Newsletter |
Issue 1 - November 2008
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Welcome to the first issue of the EWB-UK Newsletter! EWB-UK's first bi-monthly national newsletter with news from volunteers across the country, keeping you up to date with upcoming talks, training courses, projects and research opportunities. In this issue we bring you volunteering and innovation from MIT and Nepal, the Cambridge branch asks 'if you got hammered this weekend'; we're not going mad, check out their new awareness campaign - and we invite you to join us across the country for our photo exhibitions. If you, your team or your branch want to tell us about your research, your views on current issues or advertise your events, upload them onto www.ewb-uk.org or email them to newsletter@ewb-uk.org . We would love to hear from you. Enjoy! Chris & Thalia (co-CEOs) and the Publicity team |
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EWB-UK's National Conference: thank you! For the third time in its history, Engineers Without Borders UK members from around the UK came together for its annual conference. From a base in the Peak District, the conference was about inspiring, engaging and, importantly, listening. The 150 delegates, from the university societies, professional network and national teams, as well as alumni, came to engage with development issues, meet like-minded people, receive information, and be listened to, to ensure EWB-UK is doing what they want it to do. A keynote speech from the CEO of appropriate technology NGO practical action set the spirit for what some participants called a brilliant and inspiring conference, and "a vital experience." Click here to read more. |
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Bursaries – how can they help you? The bursary scheme provides funding for member-initiated non EWB-UK learning opportunities, research projects and volunteer placements which contribute to the personal development of our members and benefit partner development organisations. So far, EWB-UK has supported over 50 projects with partner organisations in more than 25 countries, including earthquake resistant housing in El Salvador, and community bridge construction in Malawi. Last year alone, 21 bursaries were given out, with the awardees going to 13 different countries. With the first cut-off point for the year fast approaching (November 26th), visit http://www.ewb-uk.org/programmes/bursaries/ for more details and to apply, as well as examples of previous bursary recipients, who have undertaken placements in countries such as Nepal, Ecuador and Tajikistan. |
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Outreach programme originating at EWB Oxford declared huge success How much does it cost to waste water? With a third of the world’s population facing severe water scarcity within the next 25 years, it’s probably more than you think. As the world population expands and the demand for safe water in developing continues to soar, the next generation looks set to face challenges in water management on a scale never before experienced. Working closely with Arup, a multi-national engineering firm, EWB-UK’s Water for the World presentation aims to educate children in these challenges and empower them to preserve water for future generation. Using a mixture of interactive activities and role-play, Water for the World is the only program of its kind to provide an in-depth, global focus on the problems facing water management in developed and less developed countries. With a presentation pack now completed, the program has already received rave reviews from teachers and pupils, and its popularity looks set only to continue. To read more, click here. |
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Photography Competition - Thank You and Congratulations! Throughout the summer of 2008, thanks to the generosity of the Royal Academy of Engineering, EWB-UK held a photography competition, inviting all members of the organisation to send in their inspiring photos from placements around the globe. The standard was high, and fourteen were picked to be included in photo exhibitions around the country at universities with EWB societies. However, one photo in particular stood out, and we would, therefore, like to congratulate Joe Mulligan, who has won a learning bursary to the value of £400, for his photo “Soweto East School Kids Try Out New Bridge”. This was chosen by co-CEO Thalia Konaris due to “very original and appealing composition”, and because it “highlights the term appropriate in technologies for international development”. To hear about the photos chosen, and for details of a photo exhibition near you, please visit this page. |
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EWB-UK volunteer contributes to HIV prevention research A former EWB-UK volunteer and Cambridge University student has developed a nipple shield that could dramatically reduce the risk of transmitting HIV from mother to baby during breastfeeding. Steven Gerrard, who came up with the idea the International Development Design Summit (IDDS) in the United States, believes his design could dramatically reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS in developing countries. The shield, which works by passing the mother’s milk through cotton wool soaked in sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS), was thought to be less stigmatizing than other methods of killing the virus such as heating. Gerrard also believes his design can be adapted to administer other medicines to children in developing countries. To read more, click here. |
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Announcement: EWB-Research call for Research Conference Papers Hello to the friends of EWB-UK research, Last year, EWB-UK hosted its very first National Reserach Conference at the IStructE in London. A very successful day showcasing EWB-UK research projects from around the country was had, more details of which can be found here. This year, we will once again be holding one - the date and venue of the conference have recently been confirmed. The conference will be held on February 20th at the Royal Academy of Engineering in London, thanks to their generous sponsorship. We hope you can attend! As a reflection of the growth in the EWB-UK Research Program we have decided to have a formal call for papers to establish some proceedings for the conference. If you wish to disseminate some of your work formally at the conference please give us an idea of the title and length of the work by Monday 24th of November via this link. Note this is not a deadline for the papers themselves, merely an exercise to establish the level of interest. We would encourage NGOs, students and academics to take advantage of this opportunity. Please do not hesitate to contact Alexis Glazer if you have any questions or concerns. Further details about the conference itself will be available in the near future. |
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Events
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External Opportunities RAEng Public Engagement Grant for Engineers - deadline 5th December 2008 Mondialogo Engineering Awards - deadline 31st December 2008 RedR "Essentials of Humanitarian Practice" course - 2nd-6th February 2009 Save The Children Emergency Response Challenge - 20th-22nd February 2009 RedR "So You Think You Want To Be A Relief Worker" course - 21st February 2009 |
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