COMEST Extraordinary Session

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1 COMEST Extraordinary Session 2008 UNESCO programmes in ethics of science and technology and COMEST s role in supporting them Henk ten Have, Director, Division of Ethics of Science and Technology

2 UNESCO - ETHICS OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY PROGRAMMA Statutory advisory bodies Areas of work Organisational structure IBC IGBC Bioethics section Sector of Social and Human Science Interagency Comm. Division of Ethics of Science and Technology COMEST Ethics of science and technology section

3 THE CREATION OF COMEST Background and context Universal Ethics project : 25th Session General Conference: Resolution 5.2: introduce a permanent system of consultation for the exchange of information and experiences on the ethical implications of contemporary science and technology (Philosophy, ethics and the life sciences) : 27th Session General Conference: establishment of the International Bioethics Committee : Work on international instrument for the protection of the human genome

4 THE CREATION OF COMEST Background and context Medium-Term strategy Major Programme II The sciences in the service of development Creation of: Programme Philosophy and Ethics Aim: to offer the international community opportunities to reflect on the ethical implications of the transformations which contemporary societies are now undergoing, especially those associated with progress in science and technology -1995: 28th Session General Conference indispensable for UNESCO to continue to fulfil its specifically ethical calling in a world seeking new landmarks and common values

5 THE CREATION OF COMEST Background and context Proposal - 26 April 1996: Headquarters - DG Preparatory working group for a World Commission on the Ethics of Scientific Knowledge and Technology - September 1996: 150th Executive Board - DG proposes establishment of a World Commission - 150EX/Decision 5.1: invites DG to submit to it at its 151st session precise proposals concerning the feasibility, mandate, method of work and cost of a World Commission on the Ethics of Scientific Knowledge and Technology, clarifiying the relations between this Commission and the International Bioethics Committee (IBC)

6 THE CREATION OF COMEST April 1997: 151 EX/44 Feasibility, mandate, method of work and cost of a World Commission on the Ethics of Scientific Knowledge and Technology Why COMEST? - the scientific research community now considers that ethical reflection is part and parcel of development in this field - ethical reflection is a perpetually renewed process it is more than defining a code of ethical practice debate should be conducted in public as a matter of democratic necessity. Ethical reflection should must be seen in a proactive perspective - example of IBC shows progress in the field of the life sciences

7 THE CREATION OF COMEST Mandate (document 151 EX/44): - focus on risk situations - Globalization of risks does not imply globalization of solutions which are often regional and partial - intellectual forum: establish ongoing dialogue with the communities concerned - practical approach, based on ethical reflection operate as an observatory to monitor the early signs of risk situations that might entail dangers for society - as example, three topics - the ethics of energy - the ethics of the use of fresh water resources - the ethics of the information society

8 THE CREATION OF COMEST Demarcations - the ethical reflection will go further than the framing of codes of ethical practice - not dealing with the ethics of scientific research - ethics of the life sciences and biotechnology does not cover the entire field of the ethics of scientific knowledge National level: research ethics committees deciding on professional standards in research International level: International Council of Scientific Unions (ICSU) with Standing Committee on Responsibility and Ethics in Science International Bioethics Committee: will continue to operate in its own area, namely the ethics of the life sciences to ensure proper co-ordination between the two bodies and avoid any overlapping, the Bioethics Unit already providing secretariat services for the IBC is also responsible for those of the World Commission on the Ethics of Scientific Knowledge and Technology

9 THE CREATION OF COMEST Working methods (document 151 EX/44): - Since the Commission will be required to develop principles, it will have to ensure the broadest possible dissemination of it work reports on specific topics and case studies - Thematic reports prepared by a working group (one or more members of the Commission and specialists on ad hoc basis) - Begin by conducting a rigorous and detailed survey of the situation, addressing the issues in a forward-looking spirit. - The results of the work will be intended to guide decision-makers in the choices they have to make - The Commission will formulate recommendations (to the Director- General) and views based on the conclusions of its work

10 THE CREATION OF COMEST April 1997: 151 EX/44 Feasibility, mandate, method of work and cost of a World Commission on the Ethics of Scientific Knowledge and Technology Conclusions - mobilize the scientific community and give advice on issues of vital importance to both societies and individuals - a consultative rather than prescriptive function - recommendations directed towards action and decision-making, particularly by policy-making bodies - reduce existing inequalities between countries or groups of countries and withing a great many countries - delineate the challenges of the future, because ethics must set the limits between what is possible and what is acceptable

11 THE CREATION OF COMEST 29 th session of General Conference (1997): 29 C/Resolution 13 (1997): the General Conference invites the Director-General to promote ethical, multidisciplinary and multicultural reflection on a number of situations that might become a risk to society as a result of advances in science and technology, by setting up the World Commission on the Ethics of Scientific Knowledge and Technology (COMEST). COMEST was established by UNESCO Executive Board at its 154th session in 1998 (154 EX/Decisions)

12 COMEST Officially established in 1998; members appointed in September 1998 Context 1997 Adoption of Declaration on the Responsibilities of the Present Generations towards Future Generations 1997 Adoption of Universal Declaration on the Human Genome and Human Rights 1998 Establishment of the Intergovernmental Committee on Bioethics 1999 Budapest: World Science Conference

13 What is the task of COMEST? To formulate, on a scientific basis, ethical principles that can shed light on the various choices and impacts occasioned by new advances in scientific and technological fields, thus fostering a constructive ethical dialogue on the values at stake.

14 What is the mandate of COMEST? Advisory body of UNESCO Intellectual forum for the exchange of ideas and experience Detect early signs of risk situations associated with science and technology Promote dialogue between scientific community, decision-makers and the public at large

15 COMEST - Main focus Four subcommissions (chaired by COMEST member) - The ethics of energy (mr Kimmins) 2001: The ethics of energy; A framework for action - The ethics of fresh water (Lord Selborne) 2000: The ethics of freshwater use - The ethics of the information society (Mrs Greenwood) 2001: Report of subcommittee - The ethics of outer space (mr Fenstad/ mr Pompidou) 2000: The ethics of space policy : Working group on the teaching of ethics (Chair: Mr Follesdal) 2003: The teaching of ethics

16 COMEST - Main focus Focus on areas of applied ethics (except bioethics) environmental ethics science ethics (Code of Conduct for Scientists) technology ethics outer space nanotechnologies information society 2003: Avicenna Prize for Ethics in Science

17 Ethics of science and technology programme BIOETHICS ETHICS OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY - COMEST - Environmental ethics Science ethics Technology ethics Common, cross-cutting activities: 1. The Global Ethics Observatory (GEObs) 2. The Ethics Education Programme (EEP)

18 GEObs Global Ethics Observatory Database 1: experts (Who is who in ethics?) Database 2: institutions, organisations, commissions Database 3: ethics teaching programmes Database 4: legislation Database 5: codes of conduct Database 6: resources in ethics Freely accessible 6 languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, Spanish 1114 experts 192 programmes 22 countries; 461 instruments 151 codes 139 resources 225 institutions

19 Database 6: Resources in Ethics NEW Base de données 6 : Ressources en éthique Base de datos 6: recursos en ética База данных 6: ресурсы в этике 数据库 6: 伦理学资源 قاعدة البيانات : 6 الموارد في الا خلاقيات Journals in ethics UNESCO Publications Case materials Videos (fragments) Resources for ethics committees Presentations Ethics websites Ethics events

20 Database 6 Search Tool

21 Database 6 Search Results Page

22 EEP Ethics Education Programme Activities undertaken 1. mapping of experts in ethics 2. sampling of teaching programs 3. bioethics core curriculum 4. ethics teacher training course 5. ethics resources Regional expert meetings in: Budapest (2004) Moscow (2005) Split (2005) Tehran (2006) Muscat (2006) Istanbul (2007) Marrakech (2008) Abidjan (2008)

23 1 November 2008: 192 programs Database 3: Ethics Teaching Programmes

24 Ethics teaching programmes (192) Areas of ethics of science and technology animal ethics 2 bioethics 46 dental ethics 6 engineering ethics 3 environmental ethics 6 ethics and law 10 ethics and social sciences 5 medical ethics 77 nursing ethics 8 pharmacy ethics 2 philosophical ethics 20 science ethics 6 other 1

25 Ethics teaching programmes (192) 29 countries Albania 1 Algeria 2 Belarus 12 Bulgaria 13 Croatia 4 Cyprus 1 Czech Republic 8 Egypt 1 Georgia 2 Greece 9 Hungary 22 Jordan 1 Latvia 2 Lebanon 3 Lithuania 13 Macedonia 2 Malta 2 Morocco 2 Poland 10 Qatar 1 Romania 5 Russian Federation 8 Saudi Arabia 5 Serbia 2 Slovakia 5 Syria 3 Tunisia 9 Turkey 41 Ukraine 3

26 Ethics of Science and Technology in UNESCO s Medium Term Strategy ( ) Challenge: Ensure the monitoring and analysis of the impact of scientific and technological innovations on human rights through the strengthening of its action on the ethics of science and technology.

27 Strategy: Promoting principles, practices, and ethical norms relevant for scientific and technological development Establish and promote common values, benchmarks, ethical principles and standards to guide scientific progress and technological development, especially in developing countries. Examine scientific progress in light of ethical considerations rooted in the cultural, legal, philosophical and religious heritage of the communities involved. Seek to create a better understanding of the major ethical issues raised by science and technology and support analysis and discussion of those issues internationally, regionally and nationally.

28 Strategy: Promoting principles, practices, and ethical norms relevant for scientific and technological development Implementation of existing normative instruments, and the application of practices and tools to facilitate use of science and technology respecting human dignity and human rights. Support the development of new instruments as may be deemed necessary by the governing bodies.

29 Strategy: Promoting principles, practices, and ethical norms relevant for scientific and technological development Promote ethical reflections and decision-making, including through international cooperation and the sharing of experience. Promote the application of the instruments and guidelines and strengthen their impact. Provide a forum on new and emerging global issues, bringing together the intellectual and scientific communities, policy-makers, public and private stakeholders and actors of civil society.

30 Strategy: Promoting principles, practices, and ethical norms relevant for scientific and technological development Regional and national levels: Establishment and reinforcement of national bodies and mechanisms of COMEST bodies. Raising awareness, undertaking advocacy and stimulating an open democratic debate about the ethical implications of scientific and technological developments and the link between ethics and governance. Ethics education for young scientists, professionals and trainers.

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32 Key areas of concern for the international community Mobilizing science and technology for peace and development Contribution of science ethics promotion of scientific integrity international scientific cooperation strengthening national research systems Social and human dimensions of climate change Contribution of environmental ethics vulnerability and adaptation responsibilities and burden-sharing awareness-raising Emerging social challenges Contribution of ethics of science and technology identification of issues development of principles and mechanisms awareness-raising

33 COMEST Secretariat UNESCO Social and Human Sciences Sector Division of Ethics of Science and Technology Section of Ethics of Science and Technology 1, rue Miollis, B Paris Cedex 15, France Tel: Fax: j.crowley@unesco.org Our website: