Global issues in public works and municipal engineering

The world is getting smaller. The advent of e-mail and the internet is improving communications internationally. International travel is becoming more accessible. There are many issues that engineers face in their day-to-day jobs working in municipal engineering and public works where they can learn from each other and from experiences across the globe. A key objective of the International Federation of Municipal Engineering (IFME) is to foster technical and cultural exchange between municipal and public works engineers worldwide. International exchange of information, innovations, skills and experience is even more important in today’s global world than when the IFME was first formed over 40 years ago. Not only can engineers learn from sharing experiences in the international arena but they can also go further and leverage from one another to achieve a quantum leap to benefit the profession and wider communities. International relationships are of strategic importance to all. They provide an effective conduit for obtaining and sharing information on a global basis and, importantly, developing friendships along the way. As an example, this paper discusses the many challenges facing industry that are common to all—sustainable management and provision of infrastructure, professional skill shortages and the impacts of climate change. It is hoped that this paper is only the beginning and that further discussions and exchange of information and experiences are generated among IFME colleagues.