Cardiff University has been selected to become the United Kingdom representative for the UNESCO Chair in Bioethics. The University joins 48 other nations and 72 universities in this important international network.
UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, is a specialised agency of the United Nations system. The organisation was created more than a half century ago, with the mission to build the defences of peace in the minds of men.
The announcement confirms Professor Baroness Finlay as the UK Unit Head, supported by Dr John Saunders and Professor Ramakrishnan (UK Unit Secretary). The inaugural introduction of the United Kingdom to the UNESCO Bioethics program took place in Cardiff where Professor Russell D’Souza formally presented the Charter to the Deputy Vice-chancellor of Cardiff University, Professor Elizabeth Treasure.
Professor John Bligh, Head of School for Cardiff University School of Medicine said: “We are delighted and proud to have been selected as hosts for this important initiative which will benefit students and staff not only in Cardiff University but across the UK. The establishment of the UNESCO Chair in Bioethics at Cardiff University demonstrates our commitment to ensuring an education in ethics is embedded in the curriculum for all appropriate disciplines”.
Since the 1970s, the field of bioethics has grown considerably. While it is true that bioethics today includes issues in medical ethics, its originality lies in the fact that it goes much further than the various professional codes of ethics concerned. It entails reflection on societal changes and on global balances brought about by scientific and technological developments. The aim of each national center is to ensure that a sound framework of ethical thinking is embedded in clinical practice, in national policies and in law across the world. To this end the UNESCO network has published books and papers to support bioethics, including a new publication, developed in Italy, which provides resources to schoolteachers and others to help children of all ages develop broad ethical and human rights approaches to problems they encounter in their lives.
For further information regarding the International Network of the UNESCO Chair in Bioethics please visit: http://www.unesco-chair-bioethics.org