International Organisations
World Federation of Engineering Organisations
The World Federation of Engineering Organisations founded in 1968 under the auspices of the UNESCO in Paris is a non-governmental international organisation that brings together National Engineering Organisations from over 90 nations and represents some 8 000 000 engineers from around the world. WFEO is the world wide leader of the engineering profession and co-operates with national and other international professional institutions in developing and applying engineering to the benefit of humanity.
WFEO Mission
- To provide information and leadership to the engineering profession on issues of concern to the public or the profession
- To serve society and to be recognized by national and international organisations and the public, as a respected and valuable source of advice and guidance on the policies, interesting concerns that relate engineering and technology to the human and natural environment
- To make information on engineering available to the countries of the world and to facilitate communication between its member nations
- To foster peace, socioeconomic security and sustainable development among all countries of the world, through the proper application of technology
- To facilitate relationships between governments, business and people by bringing an engineering dimension to discussion of policies and investment
Engineers Australia has participated in WFEO activities for many years and is well regarded by WFEO members. Past National President Mr Barry Grear AO (pictured) is the current President of WFEO. This appointment is regarded as a major success for Mr Grear AO and Engineers Australia.
Another Past National President, Dr Peter Greenwood, also represents Engineers Australia as our National Member within the WFEO structure.
Other Engineers Australia members are corresponding members to the WFEO Standing Committees on:
- Engineering and the Environment
- Information and Communication
- Education and Training
- Technology
- Capacity Building
- Energy
- Anti-Corruption; and
- Women in Engineering
All of these representations further enhance Engineers Australia's position on the world stage.
Further information can be found at www.wfeo.org
ASEAN Federation of Engineering Organisations
The ASEAN Federation of Engineering Organizations (AFEO) is a nongovernmental body. Its members are the national institution / organisations of engineers of ASEAN Countries with the following main objectives:
- to promote goodwill and mutual understanding, and
- to establish and develop standard of engineering profession and engineer mobility within the ASEAN countries.
AFEO had its beginnings in 1973, from an engineering convention held between the Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM) and the Institution of Engineers Singapore (IES). The IEM / IES Engineering Convention was held primarily for the purpose of promoting interaction and rapport for their members in view of their common historical background and geographical similarities. IEM and IES took turns to host the Convention from 1973.
In 1976, while preparing for the 3rd IEM / IES Engineering Convention it was decided that all other ASEAN Countries would be invited bringing together the 3rd IEM / IES Engineering Convention which was held in April. In 1977 all other ASEAN engineering bodies with the exception of Brunei attended the convention and it was decided that going forward the convention would be called the Convention of Engineering Institutions of South East Asian Nations (CEISEAN). The first CEISEAN was held in Kuala Lumpur in 1979.
During the 2nd CEISAN, held in Manila in February 1980, an agreement was reached for the formation of the ASEAN Federation of Engineering Organisations (AFEO) and the drafting of its constitution.
At the 3rd CEISAN held in April 1981, the Guiding Principles for the Conference of AFEO (CAFEO) were adopted. Subsequently the 4th CEISAN held in Indonesia in 1982 was renamed as CAFEO-1.
Since then, CAFEO has been held annually at the different member institutions, rotating in an alphabetical order.
In 1980 the founding members of AFEO were Persatuan Insinyur Indonesia (PII), the Philippine Technological Council (PTC), the institution of Engineers Singapore (IES) and the Engineering Institution of Thailand under H.M. the Kings Patronage (EIT).
Pertubuhan Ukur Jurutera dan Arkitek (PUJA) Brunei became the sixth member in 1984. This was followed in succession by Vietnam Union of Science and Technological Associations (VUSTA) in 1998, the Myanmar Engineering Society (MES) in 2000 and the Engineering Institution of Cambodia in 2001. The full membership of 10 ASEAN Engineering Institutions was achieved with the admission of Lao Union of Science and Engineering Associations (LUSEA) on 3rd September 2002.
AFEO has embarked on a very important mission from 1998 to spearhead the mobility of engineers within ASEAN with the formation of the ASEAN Engineers Register. This is in line with the ASEAN Secretarial program for the liberalization of professional services within ASEAN to prepare for globalization under the World Trade Organization (WTO) initiative.
The Chairmanship and Secretariat of AFEO rotate among the ASEAN member nations.
Although not a member of ASEAN or AFEO, Engineers Australia has participated in AFEO conferences for a number of years and has close links with the region through the Washington Accord, APEC Engineer Register, mutual recognition of membership agreements and other bi-lateral arrangements with AFEO members.
More information on the AFEO and CAFEO can be found at: www.aseanengineers.com
