Under the patronage of the Minister of Culture Dr. Mohamed Daoud Daoud, the Lebanese National Commission for UNESCO organized, in collaboration with the National Council for Scientific Research (CNRS-L), the national seminar on “Ethics of Scientific Knowledge and Technology” at the National Library in Sanayeh on April 5, 2019.
Following a general description of the seminar’s framework and objectives by the LNCU Deputy Secretary General Ms. Ramza Jaber Saad, Prof. Mouin Hamze, CNRS-L Secretary General gave a speech in which he pointed out the challenges faced by scientific research nowadays, that arise from globalization and technological development, as well as the increasing pressures faced by researchers in obtaining international financial funding in light of competition for centers and academic titles. Therefore, the system of research, development and innovation is facing new and complex challenges in strengthening the ethics of scientific research, and in addressing the negative effects of misconduct.
The Chair of World Commission on the Ethics of Scientific Knowledge and Technology (COMEST), Dr. Marie-Hélène Parizeau, highlighted the ethical values of Arab societies and the importance of accepting the other.
As for the Director of the UNESCO Regional Office in Beirut, Dr. Hamed bin Saif Al-Hammami, he stressed on the role of the organization, since the 1970s, in promoting the concepts of scientific ethics at the international level through the development of global systems and policies, including the adoption of the UNESCO Declaration of Ethical Principles in relation to Climate Change in 2017.
Judge Dr. Abbas Halabi, Vice-president of the Lebanese National Commission, representing the Ministry of Culture, noted that the topic of ethics in scientific knowledge and technology goes beyond the educational scope to include scientific and academic research, and their applications, for example, in the field of genetics, or artificial intelligence.
The seminar featured 3 panels of discussions animated by international experts from COMEST and researchers from various Lebanese universities, on the guideline for ethical research conduct across disciplines, approaches to prevent misconduct, the Declaration on Ethical Principles in relation to Climate change, ethics of water and environment.
