Introduction to Sustainable Development
The term 'sustainability' has become a buzzword across many sectors in recent years. Despite the tremendous progress delivered by free market capitalism over the decades following WWII, there is a widespread recognition that the growth-obsessed economic model that underpins our global system is not without its flaws. Even as the average standard of living continues to rise around the world, there are mounting social, economic, and environmental challenges that threaten the security and stability of nations and their people. These challenges, and the paths to addressing them, are outlined in the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In this course, you will learn about the SDGs, the overall need for sustainability, and how you can apply your engineering and technology expertise toward finding solutions to local development challenges. As you will soon find out, effective sustainable development takes more than just clever feats of engineering. You will need to consider a multitude of factors and perspectives when designing solutions that achieve sustained positive impacts. After completing this module, you will be well-equipped to do so!
This is the first module of the Humanitarian Technology and Sustainable Development at IEEE curriculum.
Instructors:
IEEE Humanitarian Activities Committee (HAC)
The IEEE Humanitarian Activities Committee (HAC) provides a suite of resources that inspire and enable IEEE volunteers around the world to carry out and/or support impactful humanitarian technology and sustainable development activities at the local level.
HAC focuses on raising awareness of how technically trained people can contribute, providing training for engagement in humanitarian technology and sustainable development activities, supporting and evaluating projects, and cultivating relationships and leveraging opportunities, so that IEEE can become a leader in the global sustainable development community. The committee reports to the IEEE Board of Directors. HAC.ieee.org
IEEE Special Interest Group on Humanitarian Technology (SIGHT)
IEEE SIGHT is a global network of IEEE volunteers partnering with under-served communities & local organizations to leverage technology for sustainable development. SIGHT.ieee.org
Audience: Volunteers who are interested in learning about sustainable development and applying their technical skills by getting involved in humanitarian and sustainable development projects.
Publication Year: 2019