 |
|
 |
 |
2005 Engineers Week Press Briefing Victoria A. Rockwell Thank you, Leslie. As senior vice president of ASME’s Strategic Management, I have been afforded the privilege to chair Engineers Week 2005. The role of lead technical society allows ASME to direct and expand the breadth of the current programs associated with Engineers Week, and add a global reach. ASME also enjoys the opportunity to immerse and involve our members and leadership in celebrating the profession and creating an exciting future for engineers. Focusing on expanding EWeek to the global community, ASME wanted a corporate sponsor that was based outside North America to provide support, resources and, above all, that exhibited a dedication to the engineering profession. We aligned with BP, a leading player in global energy technologies, who has a deep and ongoing commitment to sustainable development technologies, environmental preservation, engineering education, and workforce training and development. It has been exciting and invigorating working with BP. BP is a first class partner and we appreciate their support. They have not only contributed to Engineers Week and our legacy project, Engineers Without Borders, but are working on outreach projects in communities worldwide, mobilizing the entire BP workforce. Thank you, BP for your leadership in extending the roles of EWeek. In preparation for EWeek 2005, ASME established a partnership with Engineers Without Borders, forging this triad of organizations with a common goal,—to steward beneficial change on a global basis—engineers making a world of difference. It is in the spirit of this sentiment that the leading engineering societies have begun to pledge their support for EWB’s tsunami reconstruction efforts, with particular focus on providing volunteers. Engineers Without Borders, like ASME, encourages volunteerism and accomplishes outstanding work with engineers serving as positive and supportive mentors to students. EWeek’s built-in network of engineering volunteers and student engineering groups is a natural bond for year-round participation that will continue well beyond 2005. EWB project teams are multidisciplinary, building teams mixed from mechanical, civil, electronic, and other disciplines, placing students and mentors in highly practical and educational working relationships, broadening everyone’s understanding of cultures around the world. Now as EWB turns its attention to recovery and reconstruction efforts in the most often overlooked towns and villages damaged and destroyed by the tsunami last December, we appreciate its outreach even more. ASME supports Engineers Without Borders and believes its efforts strongly contribute to the new global focus of Engineers Week, in meaningful ways. So we are asking our peer societies to make donations to EWB. They are in need of manpower, materials and money. This week, as we celebrate the role of engineers in making the world a better place, Engineers Without Borders stands as a shining example of social responsibility, humanitarian outreach, and global good will. Thank you, Engineers Without Borders, for your outstanding accomplishments—and for raising the stature of the engineering profession. #### |
 |
National Engineers Week Foundation
|