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Quick Link to this page: www.unesco.org/shs/est/comest5
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| 5th Ordinary Session of COMEST: Ethics of Science in Africa |
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| The emergence of common values, the establishment and reinforcement of ethics infrastructures and the promotion of ethical principles and standards to guide scientific progress and technological development all represent tasks that have their place in UNESCO's mandate. For this reason, the World Commission on the Ethics of Scientific Knowledge and Technology (COMEST), will hold its Fifth Ordinary Session in Dakar, from 6 to 9 December 2006, on the kind invitation of the Government of Senegal. The meeting is being jointly organized by UNESCO and the Ministry of Scientific Research of Senegal. |
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Dates: 6-9 December 2006.
Venue: Hotel "Le Méridien Président", Dakar, Senegal.
COMEST is an advisory body and forum of reflection which was set up by UNESCO in 1998. Chaired by Mrs. Pilar Armanet Armanet, the Commission is composed of eighteen leading personalities of scientific, legal, philosophical, cultural and political fields from the various regions of the world, appointed by the Director-General, together with eleven ex officio members. COMEST is mandated to formulate ethical principles that could provide decision-makers with criteria other than purely economic. It is currently working in several relevant domains: the teaching of ethics, the ethics of environment, ethics of new and emerging technologies such as outer space and nanotechnology, as well as science ethics codes (conduct for scientists).
COMEST has held four Ordinary Sessions: in Oslo (Norway) in April 1999, in Berlin (Germany) in December 2001, in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) in December 2003 and, subsequently, in Bangkok (Thailand) in March 2005. The regional meeting in Dakar will give UNESCO an excellent opportunity to discuss the ethical issues concerning science and technology in the Africa region, as well as to disseminate the ethical debate, to establish a network of experts and to set up a platform for future activities in the whole region.
Key areas that will be addressed include:- ethics education and consultation on the draft core curriculum for bioethics teaching;
- environmental ethics, consultation on the draft policy advice on environmental ethics and the problem of toxic waste in Africa;
- regional consultation on science ethics and scientists' responsibility and setting up monitoring and application bodies;
- and the ethical dimensions of the relation among biodiversity, genetically modified organisms and biotechnology.
A Youth Forum on the ethical and social responsibilities of scientists in Africa is also planned, in order to involve young researchers or representatives of youth organizations in the work of COMEST.
Finally, a Regional Ministerial Meeting on the incorporation of ethics of science and technology in African public policies will also take place in order to assure visibility and political support to the debate of this matter in the West Africa region.
Documents:Background documents for sessions:DeclarationsRelated web site:The working languages of the meeting are English and French; simultaneous interpretation will be provided.
Photo: © UNESCO |
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Quick Link to this page: www.unesco.org/shs/est/comest5
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