Engineering in context: Engineering in developing countries

This paper is the beginning of a handbook geared toward engineering students who want to work in developing countries in a socially responsible manner. The paper discusses socially responsible engineering in the field of development assistance. It suggests that actual contributions to the development process of a country happen when the engineer truly listens to the desires of those he/she is attempting to serve. Included in the paper are examples of development projects that have been successful and ones that have failed to reach their intended goals. The reasons for these successes and failures are examined. As well, examples of engineers combining social responsibility and their engineering skills in developing countries are given. Issues such as policy, appropriate technology, working conditions in developing countries, culture, participation, women engineers, education, and ethics are also explored. This paper is intended to stimulate a discussion about the role of engineers from industrialized countries in the Third World.