The Program on Global Ethics and Social Trust is an international project based at Boston College that brings faculty together across disciplinary and institutional boundaries to address the ethical dimensions of urgent global issues and the implications for our academic, political, and religious communities.
Key elements
- Collaboration among predominantly Catholic research universities on five continents
- Interdisciplinary faculty working groups
- International conferences in summer 2024 and 2025
Working Groups
In the Program's initial phase, two working groups of scholars from research universities on five continents will investigate the role of ethics and social trust on two contemporary issues: how education serves at a time of threat to democracy and the problematic of climate refugees.
Featured Members
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Jonathan Laurence
Professor of Political Science and Director of the Clough Center for Constitutional Democracy at Boston CollegeDemocracy, Governance, and Education Working Group
“This is an opportunity for an exceptional group of thinkers to focus on the major political task of our generation: preserving democracy for the next generation. The challenge this working group addresses is global, and its members will bring international perspectives to bear on our central questions. I look forward to what our work will reveal about the most effective educational and formative experiences for maintaining resilient democratic systems.”
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Katharine Young
Associate Dean for Faculty and Global Programs, Professor, and Dean’s Distinguished Scholar at Boston College Law School
Climate Change and Migration
“There may be no ethical challenge more immense than that wrought by our changing, and in some places now unlivable, climate. Migration due to environmental degradation or extreme weather events is often forced on the world’s most vulnerable people, who are least responsible. Our Working Group brings together renowned experts from Boston College and across the world to grapple with this profound challenge, and I look forward to the insights that will come in bridging the environmental and earth sciences, ethics, human rights, social work and law.”
Events
Program Launch
On Tuesday, August 29, 2023 we celebrated the launch of the Program on Global Ethics and Social Trust with opening remarks from Jim Keenan and Erik Owens and a reception with participants and supporters.
Dublin Panel
In mid-December 2023, the Long Room Hub at Trinity College Dublin will host GEST faculty participants Linda Hogan, James Keenan, SJ, and Jonathan Laurence on a panel entitled "The Role of Education in the Face of the Threats to Democracy and the Rule of Law." Details to come as they are available.
News
Partners
