Engineering seeks to provide technical solutions to societal problems. However, these skills are not always used to build a more just world. From Engineering Without Borders Argentina, an invitation to reflect on the social role of this discipline.

Engineering is a discipline with the power to transform materials into structures. But when technical knowledge is combined with a social and holistic approach, as well as interdisciplinary work, the change can be much more profound. This has been the driving force behind EWB-Ar's actions for almost ten years: generating engineering works aimed at sustainable human development, upholding human rights, caring for nature, and strengthening populations in vulnerable situations.

Undoubtedly, engineering is a tool that transforms every area in which it is applied. In this sense, it is not a neutral science, free from all human variables, but one that involves positioning and a worldview. "Every decision to execute (or not) a project, and how to execute it, has enormous and direct consequences for the development of communities," explains Adán Levy, electromechanical engineer and executive director of EWB-Ar. "For example, choosing the route of a road raises questions about the connectivity it generates, whether it prioritizes the growth of certain populations while neglecting others," adds Adán.

Thus, when considering engineering projects, it is crucial to understand the social role of the discipline. "We need to have a sensitive view of the intended beneficiaries. If we want a project to be sustainable, we must listen to the community; we can't bring standardized solutions," says Esteban de Olmos, civil engineer and member of EWB-Ar’s general coordination, from Córdoba. "A social perspective on engineering allows us to recognize the potential for positive change and identify the challenges and blind spots of projects," comments Diego Gil, architect and coordinator of infrastructure projects in Buenos Aires.

In EWB-Ar’s projects, such as bridges, community centers, water, and energy systems, it is essential to consider people as subjects of rights. "Building a house, a school, a community center is the task that makes this discipline incredibly powerful. Every person deserves the full enjoyment of all their rights," says Estela Cammarota, industrial engineer and president of EWB-Ar. In this sense, engineering can become a means to fulfill fundamental human rights. "I celebrate with my colleagues when we realize that what we have is much more than a vocation in motion; it is a tool for social transformation."

Now, in this pursuit of transformation, a question arises: What kind of engineering do we want? One that provides standardized answers or one that seeks solutions tailored to the various realities of our country? An engineering interested in narrowing gaps or deepening them further?

"Engineering was born as a tool for transforming everyday reality, and that is the kind of engineering we need to recover—the one that contributes to society, seeks solutions to everyday problems, and guarantees the fulfillment of human rights," says Sofía Sánchez, civil engineer and member of the Córdoba team.

We believe that building a more just, inclusive, and supportive society is a collective responsibility. To achieve this, we face a huge and necessary challenge: to think about development policies that can materialize in engineering works that leave no one behind.