Engineers Without Borders at Colorado State University (EWB-CSU) partners with disadvantaged communities in Latin America to improve their quality of life through the implementation of environmentally and economically sustainable engineering projects. Through these projects, we give students of all backgrounds, from engineering to anthropology, the opportunity gain hands-on experience in internati
onal development. We are a chapter of Engineers Without Border-USA, a non-governmental organization established in 2000 which helps students and professionals with the design and construction of water, wastewater, sanitation, energy, and shelter systems. We strive to include the community in all phases of the project to ensure ownership, appropriateness and long-term effectiveness while building self-sustainability. The scale of this problem requires a new way of thinking and a long term approach. As important as international aid programs are, many community problems cannot be solved by short-term international aid programs. These problems will require the dedication of a new generation of professionals, working hand-in-hand with local communities, social scientists, economists, businesses, human rights organizations, other non-government organizations, and international development organizations. EWB assists in training a new generation of professionals through hands-on involvement in new and ongoing national and international development projects.
