The Common Good

Tom Friedman tells us that in order to prosper in the globalization era people and institutions should act globally, be adaptable and durable, respond to decentralized decision making, and above all embrace change. At times our interconnectiveness is producing a world of remarkable cooperation, collaboration, and coordination. Our collective response to the Haiti earthquake disaster illustrates our commitment to the global well being during times of need and emergencies.

The Haiti earthquake response effort has been a complex and unique mixture of the public sector, the private sector, and everything in between. You have the insiders, the outsiders, the idealists, the realists, the engineers, the doctors, the ministers, the saints, the sinners, the sergeants - - all part of the “caring economy” with no apparent spirit of resignation. Local search and rescue teams, religious groups, various military forces, governmental agencies, NGOs, academia - - the list is truly unique, broad and deep. One can make an argument that the size and diversity of the response has produced coordination problems – maybe too much mix and not enough match. But what global disaster responses like Haiti don’t need is a sequence of almosts and if onlys caused by a lack of resources.

You have a true Dickensian cast of supporting characters. A company like International SOS is basically a private emergency response provider. International SOS started out 25 years ago as a corporate medical response company in Asia. It offers, among other services, clinics for clients evacuated from danger spots or for routine emergencies. It now covers 70 countries. In 2008 the firm expanded into security, mainly because of the entwined nature of natural disasters and security challenges. Clients include private companies, government agencies, and non-profit groups. By Monday, their teams of ex-special forces and medical personnel had coordinated 52 evacuations, mainly through neighboring Santo Domingo. Clients on Haiti include 60 companies, 25 non-profit organizations, 10 government bodies, and 10 private travelers from the United States and elsewhere. More than 7,000 companies around the world are clients of International SOS. Is this a morally perfect situation? Probably not - - the wealthy and fortunate get the advantage of capitalistic energy and the poor and unfortunate must rely on the virtue, values, and principles of the global community. It is what it is, a curious mixture of systems, attitudes, economics, and politics. The required common thread for all the participants is the certainty or belief in action - - the idea of getting things done promoted to the status of a principle.

Dr. Elizabeth Hausler, is the Founder and CEO of Build Change. The firm helps communities build earthquake-resistant housing. Dr. Hausler has an M.S. and Ph.D. in civil engineering from the University of California, Berkley an M.S. in environmental science from the University of Colorado, and a B.S. in general engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She is a 2004 Echoing Green Fellow, a 2006 Draper Richards Fellow, and a Fulbright Scholar to India in 2002-2003. Dr. Hausler is a skilled brick, block, and stone mason and has lectured on sustainable, disaster-resistant construction in eight countries. Dr. Hausler’s approach carried out in Indonesia after the 2004 earthquake and tsunami and in China after the 2008 Sichuan quake, has been to involve homeowners in the design and building process, modifying traditional designs to improve earthquake resistance. Along the way she has trained aid officials and worked with local governments to enforce building standards. Culture and climate can be important design considerations. For example, they might have the main door on the street, when homeowners wanted it in the courtyard. It’s not good for the structure when the homeowner knocks a hole in the wall and moves the door. Look for Dr. Hausler to play a key role in the Haiti reconstruction efforts.

Disaster relief efforts have become global interventions where both International SOS and Dr. Hausler have roles to play. Engineers and engineering also play a key role in both the emergency response and reconstruction efforts. It is the point in many engineering careers where you have the intersection of engineering and social justice. Where justice means maximizing the welfare for the greatest number of people. Where justice means respecting the freedom of choice - - such as contracting with International SOS. Where justice involves cultivating virtue and reasoning about the common good. Where global citizenship requires a strong sense of community, sacrifice, and service. Where engineers are called upon to make an investment in civic virtue and moral engagements.