About UBU

UBU is described in short below, under the following headings:

- A brief history
- UBU's vision and mission
- Organisation of UBU

A brief history
UBU is a small non-profit association, which is based in Denmark. We assist local people in developing countries with planning and execution of technological initiatives. UBU was founded in November 1998 by a group of people taking interest in development issues. Most of the members are engineers and students from the Technical University of Denmark. However, also other professions are represented such as medical doctors, geographers, geologists and public health specialists. Several members have a number of years of working experience from developing countries. UBU is member of "Projektrådgivningen", the umbrella organisation of minor Danish NGOs.


UBU's vision and mission
The purpose for UBU is formulated in its statutes:
UBU’s goal is to provide aid to poor people in developing countries through the promotion of technologies that are socially, culturally, environmentally and economically sustainable.
See the full Statute (in Danish) here

After 3 internal workshops during 2008 and 2009 the purpose has been further specified in a vision and a mission:

UBU Vision:
A world where no one dies from water related diseases

UBU Mission:
1. To assist sustainable projects in developing countries with focus on water and sanitation
2. To capacity build members and partners
3. To be a central network in Denmark for water supply and sanitation in developing countries

A committee has been formed to propose a strategy for UBU, where the mission is further operationalised


Organisation of UBU
UBU's highest authority is the General Assembly, that gathers once a year to discuss general issues and elect the UBU Board. The board is in charge of the daily planning and management of e.g. member administration, accounts, public relations, member support and has delegated responsibilities to a number of committees (see below). Until the next General Assembly in May 2010 UBU's board is:

UBU has currently the following committees/group, that all refer directly to the board