UPDATES FOR AUGUST
UPDATES FOR AUGUST
EWB Keeps Up To Date with the South Pacific Engineers Association (SPEA)
EWB has continued its ongoing involvement with the SPEA by taking part in SPEA's annual face-to-face meeting in Wellington over the weekend of the 20th and 21st of August. Discussions revolved around the strengthening of the engineering sector in the south pacific and covered topics from education to professional standards and the impact of non pacific-based engineering development. The meeting was a great chance for EWB to keep our finger on the pulse of engineering in the pacific as well as exploring opportunities for future cooperation with SPEA and its members. For more information about the SPEA visit: www.spengineer.org/
Resilience in the Pacific Event
Aleisha Keating recently attended a function on behalf of EWB where the governor general launched a book containing the volume of proceedings from a conference on Resilience in the Pacific. Academics, members of the NGO community and public sector representatives all contributed to the book which is a significant addition to our knowledge of Pacific issues and the unique challenges the region faces.
There was also a website and CD entitled ‘New Flags Flying’ launched. The CD has recordings from various Pacific leaders involved in Pacific countries path to independence. Recordings and videos can also be found at: http://www.rnzi.com/newflagsflying/
Both the book and the CD significantly add to our knowledge on the Pacific and would be of interest to people wishing to work with or in Pacific countries.
Engineers without Borders Canterbury
EWB Canterbury has had an exciting month with the first phase of implementation on the Ambae Wastewater project complete. Five students from the University of Canterbury went to Vanuatu during the recent mid-year break. After going through some serious turbulence both in the air and on the ground with the airline staff the team made it to Ambae, a smaller island in northern Vanuatu.
The team was there for 5 days helping to build the foundations for a septic tank and toilet block for a school. The trip was incredibly rewarding and an amazing experience for them. Now they are back in New Zealand with new information about the site and a rejuvenated sense of direction for the project, the team will work towards the next implementation stage at the end of the year.
For more information about the Ambae School Project email Isla Norris.
EWB Australia Placement Story
Ravi Kandula has been working with EWB Australia partner East Meets West Foundation (EMW) in Hanoi, Vietnam since January 2011. Ravi has been assisting local staff understand the technical requirements of designing and constructing cost-effective neo natal care equipment to help reduce infant mortality.
Kelvin Au commenced his twelve month placement with Habitat for Humanity this August in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Kelvin is the third New Zealand member to be placed in Asia on EWB Australia placements this year. In the year ahead, Kelvin will explore innovative ideas to design low cost, simple construction and resilient housing and waste water treatment systems for urban, semi-urban and rural areas to ensure people are living in safe and healthy homes at an affordable price.
UPCOMING EVENTS
The annual EWB Duck Race Fundraiser
You buy a or adopt a rubber duck, dress it up, kit it out, race it.
$4 a duck
Thursday 8th September @ midday on the Avon River, opposite the Law car park at the University of Canterbury
To buy a duck look out for “the duck stall” in the engineering block and at the Wednesday markets. Prizes for the winning duck, best dressed duck + spot prizes For more information email Richard Fernando.
Running Without Borders
Members of the Wellington Chapter are running in the 2011 Pelorus Half Marathon on Sunday 18th September in Petone to raise funds for EWB. There are also 10km and 5km run and walk options. Anyone interested in running or walking in this event should contact Emma Quigley. Emma is going to organise some group training and a fundraising website. Let her know if you are keen!
40th anniversary Pacific Islands Forum September 2nd - 9th
The 40th Pacific Islands Forum will be to be held in Auckland from 2 – 9 September 2011, Oxfam along with many of its pacific focused partners have teamed up to put on a range of events to provide a closer look at the pacific from a civil society perspective. Seminars and discussions will address crucial issues facing the Pacific’s people, such as climate change, agriculture and food security, trade negotiations, arms control, and gender rights. There will also be opportunities for more informal meetings and networking for civil society, media, governments, business, New Zealand Pasifika communities, overseas visitors and others. If you are interested in any of these events visit the Oxfam website: http://www.oxfam.org.nz/what-you-can-do/events/pacific-islands-forum/activities
Waste Land Film Fundraiser for UnionAID
WELINGTON
Date & Time: 8pm Monday 5th September
Venue: Paramount Theatre
To meet demand following the successful screening of the excellent documentary “Waste Land” last month UnionAID is organising a further screening at the Paramount Bergman Cinema. Waste Land is a moving and uplifting film which has won audience awards at film festivals around the world. Filmed over nearly three years, WASTE LAND follows renowned artist Vik Muniz as he journeys from his home base in Brooklyn to his native Brazil and the world's largest garbage dump, Jardim Gramacho, located on the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro.
Tickets are $20 from the Paramount Theatre or by email from insidejob5@xtra.co.nz
CID Events - Free for paid members - contact your local chapter
AUCKLAND: “Is Microenterprise Still the Answer?”- Wednesday 16 November NGO Workshop
Location: World Vision NZ Office, 51 Hugo Johnston Drive, Penrose Auckland
Time: 8.30am- 1pm
Contact: Rob Vos- rob.vos@worldvision.co.nz or (09) 580 7792
This workshop is designed to explore a range of approaches for enhancing livelihoods in the varied contexts in which New Zealand-based international NGOs work. Participants will be presented with real-life experiences (including successes and failures) in economic development, invited to share best practice, and challenged through facilitated discussion to consider alternative economic approaches. The two morning sessions will be 30-minute plenary presentations with 15 minutes for questions and sharing of best practice. The post-morning tea sessions will include a brief 15-minute plenary presentation followed by splitting into small groups (depending on numbers) for 15 minutes of facilitated discussions on the topics.
WELLINGTON: ‘From Good to Great’ - Thursday Nov 17
Location: CID meeting rooms, Global Centre for Action, Wellington
Time: 12:30 – 4:30
Contact: Michelia Ward Michelia.ward@tradeaid.org.nz or (03) 3853535
The Hedgehog Concept, discovered and explained in the book Good to Great by Jim Collins, sets out a framework for identifying what organisations can be truly great at and where they should be focussing their efforts. Hear how Trade Aid has taken practical steps to implement this understanding and what they have learnt from the process, while participating in an interactive activity that will see CID’s opportunity for greatness divulged. http://www.jimcollins.com/
OPPORTUNITIES
Community Garden Project
The Wellington Chapter is looking for a Project Manager to manage a Community Garden Project. Anyone passionate about gardening, growing sustainable food and coordinating projects should contact Aleisha Keating at aleisha.keating@ewb.org.nz .
Engineers Without Borders
Nga Kaihanga Kore Here o Aotearoa