Ethics, Science and Society

Since its involvement in promoting international reflection on the ethics of life sciences in the 1970s, UNESCO continues to build and reinforce linkages among ethicists, scientists, policy-makers, judges, journalists, and civil society to assist Member States in enacting sound and reasoned policies on ethical issues in science and technology.

EST is coordinated by three key bodies: the World Commission on the Ethics of Science and Technology (COMEST), the International Bioethics Committee (IBC) and the Intergovernmental Bioethics Committee (IGBC). These committees of experts and government guide UNESCO’s work through  multidisciplinary, pluralistic and multicultural reflection on ethics of science and technology.

Our work in the region focuses on ethics education. UNESCO provides opportunities for training of ethics teachers, training materials for ethics courses and opportunities for dialogue on emerging trends in the field of ethics and how this can advise government action. The two key activities are:

• Ethics Teachers’ Training Course (ETTC)
• Assisting Bioethics Committee (ABC)

For further information visit the global page on Ethics of Science and Technology