INTERNATIONAL WOMEN IN ENGINEERING DAY on June 23rd.

To join in on this important day, we at EWB-SWE would like to acknowledge the many incredible women engineers in or around our organisation. These women make significant contributions to change and development in Sweden and around the world. They are also true inspirations and role models for other women and girls considering a career in the STEM field or becoming engineers.

We would hereby like to lift the stories of two prominent engineers, and we would like to thank our main partner Sandvik for giving us the opportunity to do so.

Meet Taline Forsberg, Vice President, Digital Projects and Services, Sandvik Coromant,

Taline Forsberg, Vice President, Digital Projects and Services, Sandvik Coromant, talks about why she became an engineer, the possibilities in combining different fields, and why she loves her job. Her advice to women and girls going into engineering is: "Believe in yourself – You can do it! Engineering is not just one single lane ... and I do believe that we make the best engineers".

Meet Anne Sankari, BLM Automation, Sandvik Mining and Rock Solution, Central Africa.

Anne Sankari, BLM Automation, Sandvik Mining and Rock Solution, Central Africa, talks about why she became an engineer, and why she strongly recommends other women to go into the engineering field. She says: "For me the best thing in engineering is definitely the problem solving aspect of it ... solving problems is the part I really like. Making the world a little bit better".

What is International Women in Engineering Day?

International Women in Engineering Day, arranged by the Women’s Engineering Society (WES), is celebrating its 11th year. The mission is to promote the incredible work that women engineers across the globe do every day. This year’s theme is #Enhancedbyengineering, highlighting the work that enhances people’s everyday lives and helps build a brighter future.

INWED strives to give women engineers around the world a profile, as women are still hugely under-represented in the engineering field. In the UK, for example, only 16.5% of engineers are women, while in Sweden, it's 29%. The INWED platform plays an important role in encouraging more young women and girls to pursue engineering careers.

At EWB-SWE, we have increased equality and inclusion as key focus areas, and we strongly support the efforts of the Women’s Engineering Society (WES), Womengineer Women In Tech Sweden, Women in STEM Pink Programming, Openhack - coding for humanity and many, many other organisations that work towards this important issue.

Read more about the activities arranged by INWED24 on the link below!

Welcome to share the stories of other women engineers you would like to highlight, using the hashtag #INWED24.

https://www.inwed.org.uk/

Progress Report: Strengthening Children's Right to Education through WASH Access in Tanzania

We are pleased to provide an update on our Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) project aimed at improving children's right to education in Tanzania. Supported by the Alstom Foundation and led by EWB-SWE, the project is taking important steps towards creating a healthier and more conducive learning environment.

Project Overview
The project focuses on providing safe water access, constructing sanitation facilities, and promoting hygiene education. Our goal is to improve education for 4,700 children by addressing the critical need for reliable WASH facilities.

We have successfully constructed two rainwater harvesting tanks at Ndama and Nyakabila primary schools. These tanks now benefit 772 students and 29 teachers.

Ongoing Activities and plans forward:

• We have completed demonstrations from UV-filter suppliers and are in the process of selecting the best solution.

• Capacity Strengthening by training district council officials, teachers, and 70 students on MHH, including health education and forming school health clubs focused on WASH.

• Begin building ecosan toilets and hygiene facilities, with training and advocacy activities planned for the coming months.

*images are from one of the new water tanks at Nyakabila primary school.

One of the significant challenges we face is cultural stigmas around menstruation, which impact girls' education. Our advocacy and training efforts are designed to address and mitigate these issues, promoting a more inclusive and supportive environment for all students.

EWB-SWE wishes to thank the Alstom Foundation for their invaluable support in making a tangible difference in the lives of many children, ensuring they have access to the essential facilities needed for their education and well-being.

Chile's President attends ACCESS Forum 2024 - Bridging Borders in Science, Technology, and Innovation

The ongoing ACCESS Forum, held in Stockholm from June 10-14, is a landmark event in the field of Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) collaboration between Sweden and Chile.

Today, on June 13, the conference was honoured by a visit from Chile's President, Gabriel Boric Font, who delivered a key speech that underscored the significance of this international partnership.

Andrés Rivarola Puntigliano, Professor of Latin American Studies and Associate Professor of Economic History, and a student from Brazil at NILAS mingled with Caroline Edelstam, Secretary-General of EWB-SWE.

Highlights of the Conference:
Today's highlight was the speech by President Gabriel Boric Font at Aula Magna, Stockholm University. Other esteemed guests and panelists, included Astrid Söderberg Widding, Professor and Rektor of Stockholm University, one of the host insitutions of the conference.

The ACCESS Forum is part of a larger initiative, bringing together eight Swedish and nine Chilean universities. It aims to foster academic collaboration, advance scientific knowledge, and promote innovation for economic growth. Over 200 researchers and university representatives have gathered to engage in dialogue and build partnerships.

The event features case examples, panel discussions, and networking sessions.

The ACCESS Forum 2024 highlights the power of international cooperation in STI, showcasing joint efforts between Sweden and Chile to promote sustainable development and achieve Agenda 2030 goals.

EWB-SWE's participation underscores our commitment to strengthening international partnerships and advancing engineering solutions for global challenges.

Speech by Chile's President, Gabriel Boric Font.

Speech by Chile's President, Gabriel Boric Font.

Photos:
Speech by Chile's President, Gabriel Boric Font.
Talk by Astrid Söderberg Widding, Professor and Rektor of Stockholm University.
Andrés Rivarola Puntigliano, Professor of Latin American Studies and Associate Professor of Economic History, and a student from Brazil at NILAS mingled with Caroline Edelstam, Secretary-General of EWB-SWE.

Talk by Astrid Söderberg Widding, Professor and Rektor of Stockholm University.

EWB-SWE Attends Science Diplomacy Seminar During the ACCESS Forum 2024 in Stockholm

The forum featured esteemed guests and panelists, including Thaïs Machado Borges, Director of the Nordic Institute of Latin American Studies (Nilas), 

The ACCESS Forum, held in Stockholm from June 10-14, is a significant academic event in the field of Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) collaboration between Sweden and Chile. Caroline Edelstam, Secretary General of Engineers Without Borders Sweden (EWB-SWE), attended the Science Diplomacy event on June 11, held at KTH Royal Institute of Technology in collaboration with Stockholm University.

The ACCESS Forum is part of the larger ACCESS initiative, a collaborative platform involving eight Swedish and nine Chilean universities. This initiative aims to promote and facilitate academic collaboration between the two countries, advancing scientific knowledge and fostering innovation for economic growth. The forum gathered over 200 researchers and university representatives, providing a crucial platform for dialogue and partnership-building.

Esteemed Guests and Panelists

The forum featured esteemed guests and panelists, including Thaïs Machado Borges, Director of the Nordic Institute of Latin American Studies (Nilas), 

Henrik Hallgren from the International Council of Swedish Industry (NIR), with Caroline Edelstam, Secretary General EWB-SWE, and Tomas Wiklund, Sweden’s Ambassador to Chile, showcasing the collaborative spirit of the event.

Highlights from the Sessions

One of the key panel discussions focused on various aspects of diplomacy in the context of science. These discussions highlighted the critical role of networks in research, with a notable quote summarising that: “Networks are very important for research.”

Sweden’s Ambassador to Chile, Tomas Wiklund, spoke on the significance of the ACCESS collaboration in "Science Diplomacy between Sweden and Chile – in the execution of SDG 17 - Partnerships for the Goals.”

Sweden’s Ambassador to Chile, Tomas Wiklund, spoke on the significance of the ACCESS collaboration in "Science Diplomacy between Sweden and Chile – in the execution of SDG 17 - Partnerships for the Goals.”

Panel discussion on various aspects of diplomacy in the context of science.

Henrik Hallgren from the International Council of Swedish Industry (NIR), with Caroline Edelstam, Secretary General EWB-SWE, and Tomas Wiklund, Sweden’s Ambassador to Chile, showcasing the collaborative spirit of the event.

Key Objectives and Principles

The ACCESS Forum 2024 aimed to: Facilitate Dialogue and encourage communication between Swedish and Chilean governmental bodies and stakeholders to strengthen bilateral ties. It also aims at promote funding and investments in collaborative research initiatives.

Another aim is to foster Networking and create opportunities for potential collaborators and promote academia-industry partnerships. And finally to highlight successful Science, Technology, and Innovation collaboration projects and case studies.

The event included case examples, panel discussions, and networking mingles, concluding with a reception at the Chilean Embassy.

Conclusion

The ACCESS Forum 2024 demonstrated the power of international cooperation in STI. It highlighted the joint efforts of Sweden and Chile in promoting sustainable development and achieving the goals outlined in Agenda 2030. Through mutual benefits, inclusivity, openness, and long-term commitment, the forum showcased how effective science diplomacy can bridge gaps and foster a collaborative spirit for global advancements.

EWB-SWE's participation underscores our commitment to strengthening international partnerships and advancing the role of engineering in addressing global challenges. The insights and connections gained from this event will undoubtedly contribute to EWB-SWE's ongoing efforts to promote sustainable engineering solutions internationally.

Read more about the ACCESS forum and seminars on the link provided below.

Bringing Light to Education – Fundraising for Solar Panel Installation

We are excited to share the latest update on our ongoing project to support the Mavuno boarding school for girls in Tanzania. The solar panels have arrived at the school and we are now fundraising for the installation of the solar panels.

Since 2016, Mavuno has operated a secondary school (grades 8-11) that has become a great hope and education for many girls in the region. About half of the students attend through a scholarship program, enabling girls from financially disadvantaged backgrounds, including orphans, to pursue their education

The boarding school provides a safe environment, protecting the girls from potential assaults during commutes at dawn and dusk. The school has a stellar performance in the 2023 national exams, ranking first in Karagwe and 36th out of over 5,000 schools in Tanzania.

A Vision for the Future

Mavuno is now expanding the school to include grades 12 and 13, preparing students for university. This expansion requires reliable electricity, as the local Tanzanian grid is both unstable and costly. To address this, we have procured a photovoltaic (PV) system comprising 60 solar panels (30kW total), inverters, and batteries. These components have already been purchased and delivered, as highlighted in the images in our newsletter.

The Next Step: Installation Fundraising 

The next critical phase is the installation and commissioning of the solar panels. A local company will handle this work, with Engineers Without Borders Sweden (EWB-SWE) providing procurement assistance and financial support. We are now fundraising for this stage and need your help to bring this project to completion.

Why Your Support Matters  💚

The solar panel installation is not just about providing electricity; it's about ensuring that these bright young minds have the resources they need to succeed. Stable electricity will enhance the learning environment, enabling the use of modern educational tools and resources. It will also reduce the school's operational costs, allowing more funds to be directed towards student scholarships and educational materials.

Join Us in Making a Difference!

Your contribution can make a significant impact. By supporting the installation of the solar panels, you are helping to create a sustainable and empowering learning environment for the girls at Mavuno School. Together, we can ensure that these students continue to excel and prepare for a brighter future.

Thank you for your continued support and generosity!

Let's bring light to education and help these girls achieve their dreams. Donate Now to support the solar panel installation at Mavuno School. Every contribution brings us one step closer to our goal. For more updates and information on our projects, please visit the support us page on our website or subscribe to our newsletter.