Bioethics Summer Course on Bioethics, Environmental Issues and Human Ecology

The 14th International Summer Course Update in Bioethics will be held from June 30 to July 10, 2015. The course is organized by the School of Bioethics of the Regina Apostolorum (APRA) and the Faculty of Bioethics of Universidad Anáhuac Norte, in collaboration with CESAB (Center for Research in Environmental Sciences and Biotechnology), the UNESCO Chair in Bioethics and Human Rights, and the Institute of Religion and Science of APRA.

The title of the course is: “Bioethics, Environmental Issues and Human Ecology.”

Although bioethics since the 1970s has addressed issues tending toward the biomedical, it had in its origins, in the thinking of some of the pioneers, a strong interest in environmental issues. The deepening ecological crisis necessitates, again and decisively, that this modern science examines this question. The course is therefore intended to deal with an interdisciplinary methodology on such issues of great public interest as pollution, resource management, the energy issue, climate change, biodiversity, environmental biotechnology, and animals. It is evident, however, that if these issues are the responsibility of bioethics, solutions cannot and should not be completely of a technical nature. To go to the roots of the environmental crisis and then to find the guidelines for effective solutions, we must broaden our vision to include ethics, anthropology, theology: what is the place and role of man in the environment; how to discern the ethical nature of human behavior towards animals; and ultimately, where is the foundation of respect we owe to the non-human world. The course will show finally the Christian vision of the environment, which provides valuable guidance to the balance between conservation and development within the pastoral care of creation in respect of that original mandate to Man to “till and maintain.” Where in fact human ecology is respected, the environment is the prime beneficiary.

The summer course is geared towards physicians, healthcare workers, those involved in biotechnologies, science teachers, priests and religious, jurists and those interested in cultural debates.

The course is divided into two thematic modules. Participation can be in the whole course or either of the modules. All participants will receive a certificate of participation (from the Secretariat of the School of Bioethics).

  • Module 1:  30 June – 3 July
  • Module 2:  6-10 July.

The summer course is integrated into the Licentiate program in Bioethics. Each of the two modules can receive 3 ECTS credits.

The course will be offered in Italian and English with simultaneous translation into Italian, English and Spanish.

Click here to download the program

For information: info.bioetica@upra.org

Hong Kong Religious Symposium: The Meaning of Social Responsibility in a Free Society

More than 350 attendees gathered at the Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) for the “The Meaning of Social Responsibility in a Free Society” public symposium on 27 March 2015 that featured the participation of religious leaders from Buddhism, Catholicism, Islam, Protestantism and Taoism. The event was jointly organised by the Department of Religion and Philosophy and the Centre for Sino-Christian Studies of HKBU, the UNESCO Chair in Bioethics and Human Rights, Regina Apostolorum University and European University of Rome. Wofoo Social Enterprises sponsored the meeting.

In his address, UNESCO Chair Fellow Fr. Joseph Tham noted that the flood of tragic news pouring from Tunisia, Syria and Pakistan suggest to many a clash of civilizations based upon religious difference.

“Since 9-11, the human family has been facing deep crises in different spheres, but the greatest challenge for the world religions is one of image—is religion a cause of intolerance, inhumanity, and even violence?”

Tham insisted that such a bad image is a challenge to further reflection and positive action.

“In this globalized reality, we can no longer ignore each other.  The UNESCO Chair in Bioethics and Human Rights believe that there is a deeper connection between all human beings and their surroundings. In spite of the differences in our religious traditions and beliefs, there is an underlying common human nature endowed with rights and dignity,” he added.

The event was led by Professor Douglas Robinson, Dean of Arts at the HKBU, Father Joseph Tham, Dean of Bioethics of the Pontificio Ateneo Regina Apostolorum in Rome and Fellow of the UNESCO Chair in Bioethics and Human Rights, and Dr Joseph Lee, Chairman of Wofoo Social Enterprises.

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“In a world marked by religious strife, we can show that mutual understanding, respect and even cooperation is possible. Every authentic religion and their adherents have a similar concern for the needs of those in need and seek to respond to those individual and societal needs by service. Religions have the great potential to aspire and transform us so that we can work for the greater good,” continued Tham.

The speakers focused on the influence of their respective faiths on the approach to pressing social concerns and the need to collaborate across denominational lines in concrete actions for the benefit of Hong Kong’s society. The symposium was the final instalment in a series of activities that the HKBU organized for the Month of World Religions.

“As the saying goes, it is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness. Our meeting here is only a small light in the midst of great challenges. I hope and pray that here today will be inspired to light their own candle and spread it to others,” Tham concluded.

List of speakers: (in alphabetical order of first name)

Catholicism: Most Rev. Joseph Ha Chi-shing, Auxiliary Bishop of Hong Kong, Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong

Daoism: Master Leung Tak-wah, Chairman, The Hong Kong Taoist Association

Protestantism: Rev. Daniel Ng Chung-man, Senior Pastor, E.F.C.C.-Kong Fok Church

Buddhism: Ven. Sik Hin-hung, Director of Centre of Buddhist Studies, The University of Hong Kong

Islam: Imam Uthman Yang, Imam of Masjid Ammar, Masjid Ammar and Osman Ramju Sadick Islamic Centre, Islamic Union of Hong Kong

Date:     27 March 2015 (Friday)

Reception starts at 6:30pm

–       Opening Ceremony: 7pm – 7:15pm

–       Public Symposium: 7:15pm – 9:30pm

Venue: Tsang Chan Sik Yue Auditorium (AAB 201), Academic and Administration Building, Hong Kong Baptist University

For enquiries, contact Ms. Ivy Yeung

Executive Officer of the Department of Religion and Philosophy, Hong Kong Baptist University

Tel: 3411 7822 / Fax: 3411 7379 / Email:  rel@hkbu.edu.hk

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Bioethics Art Competition issues 2015 Call to Artists

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The Bioethics Art Competition has issued its call to artists for the 2015 competition on the theme “Express the Gift of Healing: Body, Mind & Spirit.” The competition’s official page features extensive information regarding submission requirements and on past competitions.

The UNESCO Chair in Bioethics and Human Rights seeks to promote those universal values inherent in all cultures regarding goodness, truth and beauty; to ensure the effective protection of human dignity and fundamental rights; and to stimulate greater interest, social sensitivity, compassion, and discussion of life science, bioethics and human rights.

An artist inspires the contemplation of goodness, truth and beauty in the viewer through a visual creation. Although artists come from diverse backgrounds, it is important to stress the convergence of the way we come together to be one. Art fosters convergence. Therefore, the Chair offers the following encouragement to artists to contribute works of fine art or photography that can foster the art of convergence in global bioethics:

We invite you to explore what is good and bad, to personally discover the truth about humanity, to recognize the inherent dignity of the vulnerable, and to capture the beauty of good behavior. We invite you to create art that deepens appreciation of human life—where Art and Bioethics meet. This is our challenge to you, Artists of the Globe.

In November 2014, UNESCO Chair partner the Anáhuac University hosted the 2011 and 2013 Bioethics Art Competition Winning Pieces in Mexico City. A catalogue of the winning pieces can be found online for the 2011 competition and the 2013 competition. A catalogue for the 2015 competition will also be published.

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Evangelium Vitae in the Modern Areopagus

UNESCO Chair Correspondent Br. Michael Baggot shared his international Chair experiences with students of the Newman College and Thomas More College Rome programs on March 10. The talk “Evangelium Vitae in the Modern Areopagus” was the latest installment in the Priest, Poets & Philosophers series. Dr. Caitlin Smith Gilson, former Chair of the Philosophy Department at the Pontifical College Josephinum and current Dean of Newman College’s Rome Program, founded the conference series in order to bring interdisciplinary insights to bear upon contemporary concerns.

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Baggot first highlighted his visit to the New York Headquarters of the United Nations on the occasion of an exhibit of winning pieces from the first Bioethics Art Competition. He then discussed the chair’s work at its base in Rome, highlighting the annual summer bioethics courses that enjoy the presence of thinkers from around the world. He then explained the Chair’s series of meetings on Bioethics, Multiculturalism and Religion, which was devoted to human rights in Hong Kong and social responsibility in health Mexico City. Sharing these experiences enabled Baggot to reflect upon the nature, challenges and value of interreligious and multicultural dialogue regarding the major issues of global ethics that shape society across the world.

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Call for papers and posters: Who Feels What? The Neuroethics of brain, mind and consciousness

The VII Congress of Neuroethics in Padova on the theme “Who Feels What? The Neuroethics of brain, mind and consciousness” will take place on May 13-15 in l’Aula Musatti of the University of Padua’s School of Psychology. A call has been made for both papers (click here) and for posters (click here). The event coincides with the II Congress of the Italian Society of Neuroethics and Philosophy of Neuroscience.

Keynote Speakers (among others)

Enrico Alleva, Cnr Roma

Jean-Pierre Changeux, College de France, Paris

Tim Crane, Cambridge University

Walter Glannon, Calgary University

John Harris, Manchester University

Marcello Massimini, Università degli Studi di Milano

Ingmar Persson,  Oxford University

Massimo Reichlin, Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milano

Pier Cesare Rivoltella, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milano