Webinar on "Why Ethical Considerations Matter in Responding to COVID-19 Pandemic?"

The COVID-19 pandemic, as a “global health” challenge, has put states, public health systems, economies, societies, communities, and individuals under utmost pressure. It has indeed also raised fundamental and difficult questions pertaining to human rights, social justice, codes of ethics, and environmental ethics. Ethical questions and sometimes dilemmas, in a context of emergencies where human lives and human dignity are threatened, are part of all attempts to address them. These major ethical questions will, in one way or another, transform our habits, practices, and theories.

In this context, the UNESCO webinar will address some of the burning questions from the perspectives of bioethics and ethics of science and technology that decision makers, healthcare professionals and researchers around the world are facing today.

This webinar is part of the UNESCO series "Inclusion in the time of COVID-19" which aims to exchange experiences and expertise on the measures to address the COVID-19 crisis at the global and local levels. The focus will be on the social dimensions of “leaving no one behind” and on actions taken to fight against the growing incidents of racism and discrimination.

It targets national/local policymakers and stakeholders, international and regional organizations, academics, students and NGOs. Speakers will include global experts on Ethics and Bioethics, and representatives of National Ethics and Bioethics Committee.

The presentations will consist of highlights of the key ethical questions that the COVID-19 Response has raised in many countries, as well as guidance that could be considered to ensure solidarity and assistance to vulnerable populations in this difficult time.

Speakers
● Peter-Paul Verbeek (Chair of UNESCO’s World Commission on the Ethics of Scientific Knowledge and Technology)
● Ames Dhai (Chair of the South Africa National Bioethics Committee)
● Joseph Beng Mfutso (Chair of the Malawi National Bioethics Committee)
● Gyonggu Shin (Senior Advisor for Human Rights & International Affairs, City of Gwangju, Republic of Korea)
● Discussant: Dafna Feinholz (UNESCO)

Moderator
● Phinith Chanthalangsy (UNESCO)