From Birdcage Walk

The latest in our ongoing series of updates about activities at the Institution.

Dear Member,

It is difficult to talk about the last few weeks in Birdcage Walk without mentioning International Rebellion. London, like many cities around the world, experienced peaceful civil action that sought to highlight the challenges of climate breakdown, biodiversity loss, and the risk of social and ecological collapse. What we learned as a consequence was that ‘peaceful’ didn’t mean ‘quiet’ and the permanent encampment outside our front door was a constant reminder of their concerns. However, the subjects highlighted by these protests are clearly important issues of our times and as a charity established for public good, it is essential to think carefully about the role we can play. We don’t often get comments on this weekly report, but we would certainly welcome an informed debate around our Regions to ensure we are being as effective as we can be.

It was therefore appropriate that there were two events last week where we were showing just what we can achieve. ‘Bring It On’ in Sunderland, organised jointly with four other professional engineering institutions as well as Engineering UK is a great example. With 65 local engineering companies showcasing their work directly to 165 local schools over two days, it brought home to the students, aged between 9 and 14, just what accessible opportunities there could be for employment for them. Sponsored by organisations with an interest in the North East of England, it reminded us that the importance of ‘inspiring’ and ’informing’ about engineering careers is all the more effective if the follow-up actions are within reach. This was just the third year of the event and the plans are already in place for next year to include local undergraduates to attend a new late afternoon session to similarly learn what is possible near to where they have studied.

And so on to Nottingham, where the East Midlands Region were celebrating the achievement of Registration, or promotion to Fellowship, for over 50 of their local engineers in the last year.  It was a recognition of the valuable role that professional engineers do play in society, importantly in conjunction with other disciplines.  The engineers there made a point of acknowledging that they do not work alone but rather with others, including of course their families, to achieve what they do. It gave us a chance to talk about the Institution’s rejuvenated values that come together for us as a worldwide team to ‘make a difference’. 

At IMechE HQ we have been focusing on how to embed these values – in particular the importance of our staff not just taking part but instead doing all they can to improve the world through engineering. We have also been looking at quality, professionalism, innovation, and the overriding importance of a motivated and active membership. It clearly needs more than words to be successful, but we have learned from events in recent weeks how it is the values we live by that are the key to the future we create.

Colin Brown

Chief Executive