Within the framework of the World Philosophy Day 2011 organized by UNESCO in Paris on November 17, 2011, Mrs. Marie Fayad, Head of the Department of Philosophy, took part in the International Panel: “Philosophy and Spirit of Justice: the Equitable Sharing of Scientific Benefits”.

This Panel, made up of philosophers, jurists and specialists in the fields of ethics and bioethics, will address a number of problematical issues, particularly: What is the equation between peace, sciences and power? What are the conditions to share scientific knowledge and its applications? How to balance the sharing of scientific benefits and their applications along with their protection of intellectual property? The Panel will be organized around two thematic sessions, namely: a session to analyze and define the concepts of “equitable sharing” and “scientific benefits”, and their link with the meaning of justice according to a philosophical, ethical, juridical and even political approach; and another session to review existing texts and normative tools which aim at achieving the sharing of benefits, and which will analyze the challenges facing their implementation, including in fields such as the manipulation of human genetic resources and access to medicines.

Mrs. Hoda Nehme, Dean, took part in the World Philosophy Day organized by the Lebanese National Committee of UNESCO, on November 17 in Beirut. The theme of the day dealed with “The Practice of Freedom”.