Our mission is to put civil engineers "at the heart of society". We are a qualifying body, a centre for the exchange of knowledge and a provider of resources to encourage innovation and excellence in the profession worldwide. Our 90,000 members help to create the structures and systems that sustain society. They are responsible for designing, building, maintaining and improving bridges, roads, canals, docks, office buildings, hospitals, schools, airports, power stations, railways, flood defences, water-treatment facilities... everywhere. We make sure that the high standards needed to become a professional civil engineer are met. Professionals who are awarded membership of our Institution are among the best in the world. In the UK, we talk to national, devolved and local government and to the media. Our experts give informed comments to journalists, politicians and the public. We let politicians know what our members think. We give our opinion to government in writing and in person, and encourage our members to comment on consultation documents.