Civil Engineering nOVEMBER 2021 | Vol 29 No 10

Civil Engineering November 2021 47 4 – The world according to SAI CE International bodies INTRODUCTION SAICE’s networking on an international level took off in 1994 during the ASCE (American Society of Civil Engineers) convention in Atlanta when a SAICE del- egation was invited to attend the annual ASCE International Round Table. During that visit SAICE’s President and Executive Director at the time, Brian Bruce and Dawie Botha respectively, not only had the opportunity to network with engineering institutions from across the world, but also met their African colleagues for the first time. They returned inspired and eager to start an African Round Table, similar to the ASCE model. From this idea sprung the Africa Engineers Forum, which was eventually incorporated into the Federation of African Engineering Organisations (see p 48). Relationships with other international engineering bodies followed, to the extent that SAICE is today not only contributing meaningfully to the world engineering scene, but receiving international visitors on a regular basis, all to the benefit of SAICE’s members. WFEO (World Federation of Engineering Organisations) This multi-disciplinary engineering organisation was established in 1968 and was formed under the auspices of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). A close relationship still exists. It represents engineering organisations from approxi- mately 100 nations, and as such around 30 million engineers. Over the past 20 years or so the WFEO has gained con- siderable acceptance and status, thereby facilitating a strong and united voice for engineering. It promotes communication and cooperation, develops internationally agreed policies, and promotes interaction with the United Nations. It plays a major role in issues concerning sustainability and anti-corruption, and a series of committees has been addressing issues such as education and training, the envi- ronment, information technology, energy, capacity building and technology. The WFEO membership includes National Members, in terms of which ECSA (Engineering Council of South Africa) represents the South African engi- neering profession, International Members (like the Federation of African Engineering Organisations) that represent regional en- gineering groups, and Associate Members, who have no voting rights. SAICE is an Associate Member of WFEO. WFEO Maison de l’UNESCO, 1 rue Miollis, 75015 Paris, France T: +33 1 45 68 48 47 E: executivedirector@wfeo.net / secretariat@wfeo.org , W: www.wfeo.org UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) UNESCO was founded on 16 November 1945 and, in addition to dealing with the issues described in its name, sees itself as striving towards a higher purpose, namely “building peace in the minds of men”. After World War II this goal was obviously of great importance. UNESCO promotes cooperation among its 190-odd member nations by mainly focusing on respect, values and the dignity of each civilisation and culture. Serving as a labo- ratory of ideas, UNESCO helps countries adopt international standards and man- ages programmes that foster the free flow of ideas and knowledge sharing. SAICE has been contracted a number of times by UNESCO to execute programmes in the form of workshops aimed at issues like “Engineers and the Alleviation of Poverty”. A further initiative concerns a feasibility study to ascertain whether a mini ‘Numbers and Needs’ study would be appropriate for selected African countries, following the example of the SAICE Numbers and Needs publications by Allyson Lawless and her team. The UNESCO Engineering Initiative was established to promote engineering education at secondary and tertiary education levels, and to highlight the roles and accomplishments of women and the youth in engineering. It also emphasises the importance of renewable and alternative energies for sustainable engineering practices. By showcasing how the youth are taking on contemporary engineering challenges and how professional engineers are shattering gender-based stereotypes, the UNESCO Engineering Initiative hopes to inspire the next generation of engineers. As one of the oldest professions in the world, engineering is vital in addressing basic human needs, in alleviating poverty, in promoting secure and sustainable development, in responding to emergency situations, in reconstructing infrastructure, in bridging the knowledge divide and in promoting intercultural cooperation. Despite the social and economic importance of engineers, there is increasing concern that declining enrolment in engineering studies will have consequences for future development. The UNESCO Engineering Initiative is addressing this concern through its partnerships with various professional engineering (and engineering education) bodies, as well as with industry. UNESCO 7 place de Fontenoy, 75007 Paris, France T: +33 1 4568 1000 , W: www.unesco.org FIDIC (International Federation of Consulting Engineers) The members of FIDIC comprise consulting engineering organisations from various countries. FIDIC plays a leading role in addressing sustainability, organising anti-corruption campaigns, setting standards in consulting engi- neering, and interacting with the World