Global Link – International Activities
Fall 2023
Society tightens bonds in Britain, Greece, and Poland on president’s international trip
While in Athens, ASCE 2023 President Maria Lehman addresses a Region 10 Board of Governors meeting.
Following a shortened itinerary that included London and Athens, ASCE’s annual president’s trip enhanced ties with international members and sister societies. At her first stop, 2023 President Maria Lehman, joined by Region 10 leaders, had a great exchange with Institution of Civil Engineers leadership discussing issues of common concern including sustainability and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and renewing the ASCE-ICE agreement of cooperation. Lehman and other ASCE leaders received a special briefing on the refurbishment of Elizabeth Tower and Big Ben.
In Athens, members of ASCE's Hellenic Section enjoyed meeting Lehman and held an afternoon technical conference on sustainable infrastructure. Among the attendees was Gerasimos Criticos, an ASCE member since 1963. Lehman attended and provided inspiration to a Region 10 Board of Governors meeting. She signed agreements of cooperation with the European Council of Civil Engineers, the Technical Chamber of Greece, and the Association of Civil Engineers of Greece, with leaders of each excitedly discussing potential areas of collaboration. Lehman and other leaders enjoyed a tour of Europe’s greatest urban regeneration project and of a LEED Platinum-rated major cultural center that is home to the national library of Greece and the Greek National Opera.
Prior to the official start of the trip, Lehman began her travels in Poland, where she met in Warsaw and signed an agreement of cooperation with the Polish Chamber of Civil Engineers.
ASCE Nigeria stages annual conference around Future World Vision
About 90 professionals and students from across Nigeria found inspiration in ASCE’s Future World Vision and how to embrace it to effect change at the ASCE Nigeria Section’s 2023 annual conference. Planners leveraged the Society initiative as the one-day conference theme, with Future World Vision’s director Muhammad Amer delivering the keynote address. Amer, also director of the Transportation and Development Institute, displayed FWV’s 3D virtual Mega City 2070 and explained how attendees can adopt FWV’s tenets into their practices. Technical presentations covered how smart cities may revolutionize infrastructure; another looked at ways to improve public roads. Other issues covered how to sustain public infrastructure investment and urban wastewater management.
ASCE India holds climate-oriented conference connected to G20
Security around New Delhi for the G20 summit of global leaders in early September was so tight it forced a change of venue for ASCE India’s related Conference on Climate- and Disaster-Resilient Infrastructure. Originally to be held in person, the one-day event saw participants convene via Zoom, and the agenda was held largely as planned with key infrastructure stakeholders in planning, finance, design, construction, maintenance, and closure sharing best practices.
Joining ASCE India for the productive exchange were representatives of the World Federation of Engineering Organizations, the Asian Development Bank, the Asian Civil Engineering Coordinating Council, the India chapter of the American Concrete Institute, and other groups. Support from the India Section Northern Region and ASCE’s student group at Punjab Engineering College helped make the event a success.
ASCE, working with the Institution of Engineers (India) and the World Federation of Engineering Organizations, submitted a paper that was included in official materials prepared for the G20 summit. “Catalyzing Investments for Climate- and Disaster-Resilient Infrastructure” is available to read and download.
Refurbished 1820 bridge linking England and Scotland dedicated an ASCE landmark
The world’s oldest vehicle suspension bridge, the Union Chain Bridge, was formally dedicated as an ASCE International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark on July 6. The bridge was designated a landmark in 2019 but the pandemic postponed dedication ceremonies for three years. In the meantime, the bridge was taken apart, piece by piece, and rehabilitated. Read how that happened, then learn more about the bridge’s landmark status.
Members from Brazil, Colombia, and Costa Rica join in YMLS training
“By younger members for younger members,” this year’s Younger Member Leadership Symposium attracted 74 members from all 10 regions, including Brazil, Colombia, and Costa Rica, to ASCE headquarters in Northern Virginia. Andre Newinski from Brazil, David Nuñez Bautista from Colombia, and Angel Navarro Mora from Costa Rica were gratified to have made the trip, learning much they say they will be able to apply on the job back home. Navarro Mora said one of the best takeaways was “that before engineers, we are people and we work with people. Sometimes, we forget that.” Here’s more on this year’s YMLS.
ASCE offers English-language translation and editing of journal papers
Now you can produce polished English-language papers that meet the rigorous style standards of academic journals, including ASCE’s. A new partnership with Editage offers language editing and translation services for authors. ASCE members receive a 15% discount. Learn how it works.
Join fellow international members in discussions at ASCE Collaborate
ASCE Collaborate is an exclusive forum where Society members from the United States and around the world engage in lively, timely discussions about issues they confront daily on the job. Virtually any topic is welcome and open to discussion. Start or join a conversation now!
UPCOMING EVENTS
ASCE 2023 Convention
Chicago, Illinois
October 18-21
Details and registration (advance discount ends September 26)
ASCE INSPIRE 2023 Conference
Arlington, Virginia
November 16-18
Details and registration (advance discount ends October 23)
Submit your item for a future Global Link
Do you have news or an announcement for ASCE international members that might be worthy of an item in Global Link? Submit it to Civil Engineering Source associate editor John Marston at jmarston@asce.org.