Harvard-CUHK Joint International Symposium on Global Bioethics (28 June 2025)
Connecting Voices. Bridging Perspectives. Expanding Horizons.
On Saturday, 28 June 2025, the hall of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) was energized by scholars, professionals, and students from across the globe. They gathered for the Harvard–CUHK Joint International Symposium on Global Bioethics: Engaging Asian and Western Perspectives—a landmark event co-hosted by the Harvard Medical School (HMS) Center for Bioethics and CUHK Centre for Bioethics. This symposium also marked the 10th anniversary of both centers, celebrating a decade of advancing bioethical dialogue across disciplines and cultures.
A Collaborative Beginning
The symposium commenced with a warm welcome address from Professor Mai-har SHAM, Pro-Vice-Chancellor/Vice-President (Research) of CUHK, followed by opening remarks from Dr. Rebecca Weintraub BRENDEL, Director of the HMS Center for Bioethics, and Professor Roger Yat-nork CHUNG, Co-Director of CUHK Centre for Bioethics. Their words set a collaborative tone and a shared sense of purpose.
A highlight of the morning was the signing of the Certificate of Cooperation by Dr. BRENDEL and the CUHK Centre for Bioethics Co-Directors, Professor CHUNG and Dr. Ann Sin Nga LAU. This significant milestone affirmed both centers’ commitment to advancing academic exchange and joint initiatives in bioethics education and research. This collaboration paves the way for new opportunities and deeper engagement in global bioethics.
Symposium Highlights
Throughout the day, participants engaged in thought-provoking panels and spirited discussions exploring the intersections of bioethics in research, practice, and education. Diverse perspectives from North America, Asia, and beyond brought fresh energy and insight, embodying the symposium’s mission to bridge Asian and Western approaches in bioethics.
Event Recaps
Delve into featured highlights and key takeaways from the symposium and panel discussions—capturing the essence of the event.
Photo Gallery
Experience the spirit of the symposium through a curated gallery of candid and memorable moments.
Explore Further
Programme Rundown — View the full schedule of sessions and activities
Speaker Profiles — Learn more about our distinguished contributors
Video recordings of symposium sessions will be available soon—stay tuned!
Beyond the Symposium
The Harvard–CUHK Joint International Symposium on Global Bioethics was just one highlight of the HMS Center for Bioethics’ trip to Asia, which included visits to Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Indonesia, together with its Master of Science in Bioethics alumni. We invite you to hover and tap on each image below to discover more about their journey.
Dinner Forum on humanizing humans in Indonesian Healthcare System (Yogyakarta, Indonesia)
RecapLooking Forward
As we reflect on a day filled with inspiration and connection, we look ahead to a future of continued partnership and innovation. The symposium celebrated not just a decade of achievement, but also the bold beginning of ongoing dialogue and collaboration—at the dynamic crossroads of ethics, culture, and healthcare. Together, we are committed to advancing global bioethics and building a more ethical, inclusive future.
With exciting initiatives and new opportunities on the horizon, our collaboration with HMS Center for Bioethics continues to flourish. Stay connected with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube for the latest news and events.
Revisiting Symposium Details
This international symposium brings together distinguished experts from Asia and the West to discuss:
- Pluralism and Cross-Cultural Bioethics Decision-Making: The value of engaging diverse perspectives and lessons from comparative studies in bioethics, including global insights into ethical challenges in a rapidly shifting world order.
- Bioethics at Cultural and Religious Frontiers: The interplay of religion, philosophy, and cultural traditions—such as Buddhism and Confucianism—in shaping values and patient care, especially at the end of life.
- Bioethics in an Era of Rapid Change: The implications of AI, big data, biobanking, and evolving medical education frameworks for the future of global bioethics.
Symposium descriptionAgainst the backdrop of a shifting global order, this international symposium will delve into the profound implications of rapid technological advancements – such as AI, big data, genomics, and robotics – to health and health care practices through thematic panel discussions on global bioethics across education, practice and research. Our distinguished speakers from around the world will explore the vital integration of Asian perspectives into the bioethics discourse, traditionally dominated by Western philosophies and values. These discussions will demonstrate how diverse cultural viewpoints can enrich bioethical discussions and inspire collaborative solutions to pressing global challenges. Bringing together Eastern and Western ethical traditions, this symposium seeks to develop a global bioethics framework that is both inclusive and forward-looking. This event will also mark the celebration of the 10th anniversary of both the Harvard Medical School Center for Bioethics and CUHK Centre for Bioethics. | ||
|
|
|
|
|
|
Saturday, 28 June 2025
9:00 am – 1:20 pm (Hong Kong Time)
Lecture Theatre 7,
Event Co-organizers
 |  |
| The Center for Bioethics brings together the rich intellectual resources across Harvard Medical School and Harvard University, along with colleagues and institutions worldwide, to help ensure that scientific progress, medical therapeutics, and health care practices are developed hand-in-hand with reflection upon the profound moral questions raised by advances in the life sciences and biotechnology. Our mission is executed through education, research, and service, with programs that prepare the next generation of practitioners and leaders in bioethics, conduct normative and empirical research to address bioethical questions in clinical care, research, and public policy, and engage the public in understanding and addressing ethical aspects of health care and biotechnology. | CUHK Centre for Bioethics at the Faculty of Medicine is dedicated to advancing education, research, and engagement in bioethics. Located in Hong Kong, where Eastern and Western traditions converge, the Centre fosters cross-cultural dialogue and interdisciplinary collaboration to address the ethical challenges posed by modern science and technology. Committed to shaping future health practitioners and biomedical scientists with a strong foundation in medical ethics, the Centre promotes broader bioethical awareness across professions and communities. It endeavours to contribute meaningfully to the global discourse on bioethics and navigate the ethical challenges arising from the evolving landscape of science and biomedicine, ensuring that progress is guided by values central to humanity, such as compassion, justice, and respect for life. |
