In this webinar held on 31st January 2023, a panel of experts discussed key dimensions of crisis management, particularly the roles that values and ethics play.
Current crises like the war in Ukraine, the cost-of-living and energy, the pandemic and climate change are affecting the lives of millions of people in Europe and around the world. Yet, individuals and communities are affected differently by crises. Whilst so many are negatively affected, particularly the disadvantaged in society, there are others who are able to benefit. What is a crisis, and how do we ensure we provide adequate support – social, economic, health and wellbeing – to those in need? How can societies distribute the burdens, as well as the benefits, fairly and equitably? How can a sense of solidarity help as a guiding principle? And how do we build resilience and resilient communities?
Chaired by Professor Ole Petersen, Vice-President Academia Europaea, this webinar, held on 31st January 2023, brought together a panel of experts to discuss these critical issues, where we considered both current crises and what is needed for the future. This was a joint event between the European Group on Ethics, SAPEA and Academia Europaea.
Our panel of experts
- Professor Barbara Prainsack MAE, Professor for Comparative Policy Analysis, University of Vienna; Chair of the European Group on Ethics
- Professor Ortwin Renn, Member of the SAPEA Working Group on Strategic Crisis Management in the EU
- Professor Nils-Eric Sahlin MAE, Professor and Chair of Medical Ethics, Lund University, Vice-Chair of the European Group on Ethics
- Professor Sigrid Graumann, Professor of Ethics and Rector of Protestant University of Applied Sciences Rhineland-Westphalia-Lippe, Member of the German Ethics Council and Chair of the Council’s working group on ‘Normative Issues of Dealing with a Pandemic’
Key Themes
Topics covered by the panellists included key criteria for crisis management; types of values and their role in crises situations; the nature of vulnerability; inequality, social justice, resilience, solidarity; the importance of science communication.
The Q&A session addressed a wide range of issues, including the Ukraine crisis; the role of values at times of uncertainty; how values are shaped; power relations; re-thinking our society, welfare and institutions; the importance of resilience; faciliating dialogue about values and the role they play in our society; values within science.
Watch the webinar
Read our briefing paper
Read our briefing paper summarising the key themes and ideas discussed at our webinar.
About the European Group on Ethics
The European Group on Ethics provides the European Commission with high quality, independent advice on all aspects of EU legislation and policies, where ethical, societal and fundamental rights issues intersect with the development of science and new technologies. The EGE is an independent advisory body of the President of the European Commission. It was founded in 1991.
About SAPEA
SAPEA (Science Advice for policy by European Academies) produces independent evidence review reports that are used by the Group of Chief Scientific Advisors to make policy recommendations to the EC. This transparent process ensures that the EC’s proposals for policy and legislation are well-informed.
Academia Europaea is a member of the SAPEA consortium.
Updated 2nd February 2022. For further information please contact AECardiffHub@cardiff.ac.uk
