1% Inspiration

11. David Boroto - Global Development, Engineers Without Borders, and Reflecting on Failure

Episode Summary

Today’s guest is David (Duh-veed) Boroto an Engineering Science Infrastructure 2018 + PEY graduate from the University of Toronto. As he describes himself on his Medium blog, (in the show notes), he's an infrastructure nerd, global development nut and social impact practitioner. In our conversation, we talked about challenges with global development, reflecting on personal failure, and shared resources on how to get involved with global development in undergraduate and after.

Episode Notes

Introducing David Boroto /Duh-veed/ (EngSci Infrastructure 2018 + PEY)

David started his global development journey as the president of University of Toronto Chapter president of Engineers Without Borders (EWB) during his undergrad. Upon graduation, David worked as a data analyst for Viamo and an infrastructure and project management analyst for the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS). Currently, he is serving as the Vice Chair Board of Directors for EWB Canada and completing his Master of Philosophy in Engineering for Sustainable Development at the University of Cambridge.

Notable Quotes

• “Never forget where you came from.” - David Boroto
• “You can take a day.”.... “Listening to your body and mind.” - David Boroto
• “Being better tomorrow than I was today….. Little by little to improve.”  - David Boroto, on his definition of success and "Engineering for Good"

Resources mentioned with Links

David's Writing: 

1. David’s Medium
   • What I Learned from Losing the World Vision Social Innovation Challenge
2. "I Failed to Admit Failure" by David Boroto via Engineers Without Borders Failure Report

Global Engineering Courses and EWB

1. Centre for Global Engineering
2. Global Engineering Certificate
   • APS420/1420: Technology, Engineering and Global Development
3. Engineering Science - Infrastructure Engineering
4. Engineers Without Borders (EWB), University of Toronto Chapter
   • EWB @ U of T - Youth Engagement

Other Resources 

1. Gapminder Project
   • Gapminder Project - Dollar Street
2. David Damberger: What happens when an NGO admits failure (TED Talk)
3. Hans Rosling: The best stats you've ever seen (TED Talk)
4. 80,000 Hours for Career Planning
5. Effective Altruism
6. William MacAskill (Co-Founder of Effective Altruism)
7. World Economic Forum
8. Our World in Data
9. Don’t Look up (Movie)
10. Jeffrey Sachs | University Professor and Director, Center for Sustainable Development
11. Jeffrey Sachs | Columbia SIPA

How to get in touch with David

• Medium Blog : David’s Medium
• Email: davidboroto@gmail.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-boroto/

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This podcast is generously supported by the Hart House Good Ideas Fund.

Music By : Zen Man