World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development

Today, March 4, is the World Day of Engineering for Sustainable Development. This day comes as an initiative of the United Nations and in accordance with the World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO).

World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development seeks to promote engineering as an opportunity to improve the world.

Engineering has always played a key role in the development and welfare of mankind. At Grupo Álava, we want future generations of engineers and scientists to be capable of devising solutions to local and global challenges. However, there are 4 basic principles to make this happen:

• Firstly, inclusion, through universal access to new technologies and to basic supplies of water, electricity, Internet, etc. All this so that societies can develop in a peaceful and healthy environment. 
• Secondly, climate change. Through the creation of new infrastructures and processes that enable the reduction of emissions and survival in the face of possible adverse weather events. 
• On the other hand, it is important to take into account sustainable economic development. Let's build in line with the needs of the population, but also of the environment. Respect for the environment is essential to achieve this. 
• We must not neglect innovation, through the incorporation of the latest technologies in places that have traditionally been excluded from digitalization.

Engineers play a key role in the dissemination of a new global model of sustainable development, in accordance with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The fundamental reason for this is that their work has a major social and environmental impact, and their technical expertise is essential. They are responsible for innovation, both at the technological level (Internet of Things, robotics, artificial intelligence, quantum computing...) and in new methods that help citizens to continue to obtain the resources they need without putting the planet at risk.

UNESCO, as a specialized agency of the United Nations, considers activities that raise awareness of engineering as a career, as well as those that encourage young people to study science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), to be priorities.

As engineers, we have a great responsibility to society. The technological solutions we implement are capable of changing the context and people's lives. We can contribute to sustainable development by combining individual, professional and corporate social responsibility ethical principles.

Jose María Almazán, Vice President of Sales of Grupo Álava.

At Grupo Álava we work with different companies and try to reduce our economic, environmental and social impact. Based on this and the criteria of our ecosystem, we implement initiatives that lead to the development of society.