Hello engineers! Engineers Without Borders welcomes you back to campus for the spring term. Now that a new term has begun, the UW chapter of EWB would like to update you on the goals and current going-ons for this term.
The main focus of this term will be to spread the “Be Orange” message virally throughout the UW student body and the surrounding Waterloo community. In communicating this message, we want to help students become aware of the social and socio-economic factors of simple decisions they make everyday. For example, if you are buying a new set of shoes, we want the average student to consider the company’s ethical business practices as part of the decision making process. With the “Be Orange” campaign, EWB will focus on engaging students in political activism, buying ethically-sourced goods and supporting fair trade in Waterloo. Along with the “Be Orange”campaign posters around the Waterloo community (including UW), information on fair trade practices in Waterloo will become available via “Be Orange” photo booths and numerous information stations at engineering competitions and events. To further promote a “Be Orange” attitude, EWB has accepted the quest to certify the City of Waterloo as a “Fair Trade Municipality.”
Alongside the “Be Orange” campaign, EWB sponsors two UW Junior Fellows (overseas volunteers) every spring to work in developing countries to help build sustainable government practices and local businesses that benefit people at the grassroots level. Currently, two UW engineering students have landed in Ghana as Junior Fellows for the spring term. EWB’s initiatives include preparing the two fellows for a term in a developing country and helping with the expenses of living there. Furthermore, EWB strives to educate students on governing bodies, international policies, fair trade and ethical business practices.
If you are interested in volunteering your time to this organization on campus, email EWB at ewb@uwaterloo.ca to get more information on the various teams within the EWB organization and how to get involved. If you wish to see the EWBers and get information first-hand, a general EWB meeting is held every Tuesday in RCH 305 at 5:30pm. New members are always welcome!
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