Engineering for Peace and Diplomacy

Bernard Amadei is an emeritus professor of civil engineering at the University of Colorado at Boulder, USA. He is the founding director of the Mortenson Center in Engineering for Developing Communities. He is also the founding president of Engineers Without Borders–USA and the co-founder of Engineers Without Borders–International Network. Among other distinctions, Dr Amadei is an elected member of the US National Academy of Engineering and a senior Ashoka Fellow. In 2023, he was inducted into the American Society of Engineering Education Hall of Fame.

• Chapter 1: Introduction Chapter 2: Engineering Engagement for a Small Planet Chapter 3: Peace, Conflict, and Diplomacy Chapter 4: A New Decision-Making Narrative Chapter 5: Embracing a Systems-Aware Practice Chapter 6: Modeling the Connections between Peacebuilding-Engineering and Diplomacy Chapter 7: A System-Based Peace Methodology Chapter 8: Modeling the Complex Dynamics in Conflict-Prone Landscapes Chapter 9: Discussion and Conclusions

“This book provides an essential framework for understanding the intersection of engineering, peacebuilding, and diplomatic efforts. Dr Amadei expertly navigates complex systems–thinking approaches to conflict resolution, offering both theoretical foundations and practical applications for engineers working in conflict-affected environments. The book’s strength lies in its comprehensive examination of how engineering interventions can either mitigate or exacerbate tensions, depending on their implementation. Through detailed case studies and systematic methodologies, he demonstrates how globally engaged engineers must consider not just technical solutions, but also the socioeconomic, cultural, and political contexts in which they operate. From an engineering diplomacy perspective, this work is nothing short of groundbreaking. Dr Amadei’s development of the Peace Engineering concept offers a revolutionary framework that transforms how we understand engineering’s role in international relations. The book’s detailed analysis of system dynamics and modeling tools provides engineers with practical methods to navigate complex conflict environments, while its emphasis on ethical considerations ensures that technical interventions support rather than undermine peace processes. For anyone working at the intersection of engineering and international cooperation, and for ‘global engineers’, Amadei’s work represents an indispensable resource that will undoubtedly shape the emerging field of engineering diplomacy for years to come.”Prof. Najmedin MeshkatiUniversity of Southern California, USA“Complexity demands systems thinking, essential to both engineering and peacebuilding. Dr Amadei comes to this understanding from practical experience, as an engineer with a heart for peace, figuring out how to tackle design challenges amidst fragility and conflict. This book makes the timely case for a new way of thinking for engineers, prioritizing how they work and why it matters for people and the planet.” Ruth Rhoads AllenPresident, CDA Collaborative Learning, USA