Tag Archive for: SDGs 10

Exploring Public Health Ethics: Center for Bioethics and Medical Humanities UGM Welcomes Prof. Angus Dawson as a Visiting Professor in 2024

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Group Photo of the Guest Lecture with Prof. Angus Dawson

Center for Bioethics and Medical Humanities at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) successfully held a Visiting Professor Program from November 12 to 14, 2024. The program featured Prof. Angus Dawson from the National University of Singapore (NUS) as the main speaker. The event was conducted in a hybrid format, with in-person sessions at the Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing (FM-PHN) UGM, as well as online via Zoom Meeting.

The event kicked off on November 12, 2024, with a workshop entitled “Joint Manuscript and Research/Project on Public Health Ethics.” This workshop aimed to strengthen research collaborations on public health ethics. The following day, a lunch discussion on bioethics and humanities education was held. In addition, a “Rabuan” seminar, a routine discussion series on public health topics, took place. The event was further enriched by an “exchange works/experience” session, where participants shared their insights and experiences.

The peak of the event occurred on November 14, 2024, with a Guest Lecture by Prof. Angus Dawson. This session was the most anticipated part of the event, drawing attendance from students, academics, and practitioners. Prof. Angus presented a lecture on “The Importance of Public Health,” which delved into the concepts, values, and impact of public health. In his presentation, Prof. Angus highlighted the fundamental differences between public health and clinical care. While clinical care focuses on individual patients, public health takes a community, social, and cultural approach, aiming to protect and improve health on a larger scale.

Presentation of “The Importance of Public Health” by Prof. Angus Dawson

Key takeaways from the presentation included the notion that public health is not solely about individual treatment but also about managing health risks within communities. The ethical dimensions of public health were also emphasized, given that decisions in this field often involve moral dilemmas. For example, quarantine policies for controlling infectious diseases must balance individual freedom with the protection of public health. As a result, social justice and equity in access to healthcare services become crucial principles in decision-making processes.

This Guest Lecture played a significant role in supporting several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These include SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), as it discusses patient care within the social, community, and cultural context of public health. It also relates to SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), addressing efforts to reduce inequalities in access to healthcare services and outcomes within the “societal, community, cultural context.” Lastly, it supports SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) through discussions on “autonomy and confidentiality” for patients, with a focus on personal data protection and human rights in healthcare.

The interactive discussion session was a highlight of the Guest Lecture. Students, academics, and practitioners actively asked questions and shared their perspectives. Several participants appreciated the relevance and depth of the discussion. One participant stated, “This guest lecture has broadened my perspective on how public health requires not only medical knowledge but also ethical considerations and policy-making skills. It is a field where science meets society.”

Through this series of events, Center for Bioethics and Medical Humanities UGM reaffirmed its role in fostering ethical discussions on public health issues. This program successfully bridged academic discourse, field practice, and policy, thereby promoting research collaboration and raising public awareness of the importance of public health in sustainable development.

Reporter        : Alvira Rahmasari, S.H.G.
Editor             : Rafi Khairuna Wibisono, S.Kom.

The Asia-Pacific Regional Stakeholder Consultation on The First Draft of UNESCO Recommendation on The Ethics of Neurotechnology

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UNESCO Chair on Bioethics Universitas Gadjah Mada (UCB UGM), in collaboration with the UNESCO Jakarta office, had successfully held an Asia-Pacific Regional Consultation to discuss the draft UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of Neurotechnology. The event took place on June 21st 2024, virtually via Zoom Meeting platform. This consultation session was part of the process to develop the timely standard-setting instrument, UNESCO
recommendation on the Ethics of Neurotechnology. The 1st draft text of the recommendation had been produced by UNESCO Ad Hoc Expert Group (AHEG), through its 1st meeting earlier this year on 22nd – 26th April. This activity was in alignment and contributing to the realization of Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 3 in ensuring healthy life and promote wellbeing for all at all age, SDG 10 in reducing inequality within and among countries and SDG 17 in strengthening implementation measures and revitalizing the global partnership for sustainable development.

This regional consultation was commenced with opening remarks from The Dean of Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing (FMPHN) UGM, Dr. Yodi Mahendradhata, M.Sc, Ph.D, FRSPH, and the Director of Center for Bioethics and Medical Humanities (CBMH), Dr. Dra. Retna Siwi Padmawati, MA, who also represented Prof. Dr. Yati Soenarto S, Sp.A (K)., Ph.D as the Chairholder of UNESCO Chair Bioethics UGM.

The UNESCO resource persons and also members of UNESCO AHEG attended this consultation session to provide background context and highlights for the draft recommendation text, as well as discussing interactively with participants. Dr. Dafna Feinholz Klip, as Chief of the Bioethics and Ethics of Science Section, within UNESCO’s Social and Human Science Sector, conveyed the process of preparing UNESCO’s draft recommendations on the Ethics of Neurotechnology. Dr. Ryota Kanai, experienced expert in neuroscience and member of UNESCO AHEG spoke on highlights of “Setting the scene: Neuroscience in the context of the draft UNESCO Recommendation”. Prof. Qingming Luo, experienced expert in neuroimaging and UNESCO AHEG member emphasized on the importance of integrating ethical frameworks into neurotechnology practice, and the role of international collaboration. The consultation session were led by two moderators dr. Rusdy Ghazali Malueka, Ph.D, Sp.S(K), expert neurologist, and dr. Wika Hartanti, MIH, bioethics faculty and executive manager of UCB UGM, both also teaching faculty at Master Bioethics UGM.

The event was attended by 58 invited participants who originated from 14 countries in Asia-Pacific region, and represented various stakeholders concerning neurotechnology development and implementation. Participants were from various backgrounds representing scientific community, healthcare providers, bioethicists, patient groups, and civil society. The interactive and lively consultation session facilitated participants’ inquiries and
feedbacks from various perspectives to improve the draft recommendation text. The discussion highlights important aspects about definition and scope of neurotechnology, and ethical concerns arising from it. Suggestions regarding values, principles and policy recommendations were made to encourage ethical, humane and sustainable development and practice of neurotechnology. Feedbacks and suggestions from this consultation session were documented, and reported back to UNESCO as representation of stakeholders’ perspectives from Asia – Pacific Region. Further details and information regarding subsequent process towards the final recommendation for Ethics in Neurotechnology is available in the UNESCO page (https://www.unesco.org/en/ethics-neurotech/expert-group?hub=83294#).

Keywords: Bioethics, Ethics, Neuroethics, Neurotechnology, Neuroscience, UNESCO, SDGs, SDGs 3, SDGs 10, SDGs 17.