The Civil Engineer of the 21 st Century António Adão da Fonseca Full Professor at the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Oporto President of the European Council of Civil Engineers in

A PROFESSION is characterized by common procedures and attitudes SOCIETY believes those Professionals act accordingly SOCIETY must understand the limits of that PROFESSION

In the city of Rome, in May 2000, ECCE approved unanimously the Code of Professional Conduct for European Civil Engineers. A Code of Professional Conduct for the 21 st Century.

The Preamble of the Code states that: The purpose of Civil Engineering is to improve living conditions for humanity, always safeguarding life, health and property; A Civil Engineer is a servant of Society and a promoter of quality of life; and A Civil Engineer must survey and analyse the demands of the present and anticipate future developments.

The Code is organised into five chapters, set in order of importance. The Society The Environment The Profession The Clients and the Employers The other Civil Engineers This is a major change from the recent past, when professionals tended to value first their professional positions and interests. In the 20 th Century, prestige and salaries were regarded increasingly as measures of achievement. In the 21 st Century, the quality of the service given to Society, promotion of culture and achievement of quality of life will be the measures for success and for recognition. Prestige and better pay will follow from those values.

Therefore, ECCE is concerned with the professional environment, the professional standards, and the role and involvement of Civil Engineers; ECCE is attentive to the demands and expectations of Society; ECCE is committed to culture and quality of life for all humanity; and ECCE is aware of the responsibilities and duties of European Civil Engineers towards both the built and the natural environments.

This is achieved by High standards of ethical behaviour High technical standards of the profession Information Understanding of diversity

All these objectives are to be achieved in a changing professional environment, which should be recognised in the evolution of the construction industry, globalisation of all markets, concentration of business, free movement of people, demand for safeguards of the environment, for safety and for quality of life, direct involvement of Society in any decision- making process, clearly amplified by the media and by the powerful information channels of the present and even more of the future.

A wide and very comprehensive scientific background in mathematics and physics should be the sound foundation of any European Civil Engineer of the 21 st Century, just as it was in the second half of the 20 th Century. However, in the 21 st Century, communication skills and capacity for decision-making will set the difference.

Communication in the 21 st Century is mostly achieved by means of computers knowledge of several national languages. English language is becoming the international language, but no communication is complete and truly rewarding if it is not combined with good personal relationships. And for that, knowledge of the local language is essential. Then, full trust can be achieved.

In a World increasingly conscious of the limits of its resources, decision making is very dependent on cost and efficiency. Therefore, the European Civil Engineer of the 21 st Century is required to have a fundamental knowledge of Microeconomics Finance Accountancy

But most important of all, a CIVIL ENGINEER is a professional acting on PUBLIC TRUST. And trust requires the HIGHEST ETHICAL BEHAVIOUR. Civil Engineers will then regain the status of builders of a better future, and professional and social recognition will be granted.

CIVIL ENGINEERING THE PROFESSION THAT BUILTS THE FUTURE