To make a contribution to international security is a worthy goal for individual engineers and engineering enterprises. However, contributing by preparation for war is an inadequate response, especially considering recent analyses of the origins of conflict, government strategy and international initiatives.

– W. Richard Bowen, Water Engineering for the Promotion of Peace (2008)

What is the role of engineering in peace-making? In the case of homeland security, the role of engineers has been to develop military equipment and be prepared in case tensions arise. Is this the appropriate response? To be prepared to fight, instead of mitigating the root causes of the conflict in the first place? Water scarcity, hunger, and poverty are a common root sources of violence. Shouldn’t engineers focus on these issues to promote peace? What if we put all of the money and resources spent on weapons into sustainable community development?