November 11, 2009
By Sabrina Tang (IND 1T1),
VP Faculty Relations, Engineers Without Borders, University of Toronto
Distinguished alumnus Paul Cadario (CivE 7T3) inspired attendees during his talk at the kick-off of the Engineers Without Borders Chapter at the University of Toronto’s Global Engineer Speaker Series on Nov. 4, 2009. He is currently Senior Manager of Trust Fund Quality Assurance and Compliance at the World Bank. During his career, Mr. Cadario has supervised international development projects in Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Nigeria, Senegal, Benin, Togo, China, and Mongolia. Since his graduation from U of T, he has maintained an extraordinary level of involvement and dedication, and recently completed two years as the president of the University of Toronto Alumni Association. Currently he serves as a member of the Civil Board, as well as the Dean’s Advisory Board.
Mr. Cadario opened the evening with a pecha kucha presentation and began his speech on global thought and action at the World Bank. He described how the World Bank has evolved over the past few decades. He focused on how the role in combating climate change rested on community ownership and understanding global relationships. When asked what it takes for an engineer to become a decision-maker in society, Mr. Cadario responded, “Engineers need to behave like citizens. We can vote and we need to be more active in public policy debate.”
In closing with the over 70 attendees, Mr. Cadario asked the audience to consider that, “Development is complex and change in individual behaviour is required to solve global problems. Engineers can solve most of these problems if we are imaginative and creative enough.”
The focuses of the Engineers Without Borders Global Engineer Speaker Series are to highlight the wide variety of fields where engineering pragmatism can be applied, and to bring in leaders to discuss the world’s most pressing problems. The lectures aim to inspire, encourage and challenge students to create social change in our world, making it more equitable for all citizens.
Be Empowered. Be Involved. Be a Global Engineer.
