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Before becoming part of SGR, Architects and Engineers for Social Responsibility (AESR) had been a UK-based organisation working for peace, ethical values and a better environment. Specifically, it had encouraged the socially responsible use of technology in ways which benefit humanity. AESR had been formed in 1991 by a merger of Architects for Peace and Engineers for Social Responsibility, the latter having been created when Engineers for Nuclear Disarmament decided to widen its remit.
AESR had a range of concerns which overlapped to a large extent with those of SGR. It published briefing papers on Transport, Energy and on Housing Policies. It was active in pressing for effective action on climate change at national and international level. Where appropriate, it responded to government consultation exercises. Other concerns included international treaties on trade such as GATS (General Agreement on Trade in Services) and on intellectual property rights to ensure people in developed and developing countries do not lose control over their natural assets, and that insistence on unrestricted free trade does not over-ride protection of the environment or social goals. AESR campaigned for all countries to fulfil their obligations under the nuclear non-proliferation treaty, especially the abolition of all nuclear weapons. It believed security was better achieved by seeking to remove the causes of conflict, rather than relying on ever more sophisticated and expensive weapons systems, such as ‘Missile Defense’.
AESR organised lectures and meetings in conjunction with the Royal Institution of British Architects and the major engineering institutions, and tried to use its influence within the professional bodies to encourage discussion on issues of sustainability and the right use of technology. AESR had some distinguished members of the architectural and engineering professions as sponsors, many of whom have now become SGR sponsors.
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