The 8th Lanson Lecture in Bioethics – Climate Change, Health, and the Right to a Healthy Environment

Reflecting on Our Annual Flagship Event: The 8th Lanson Lecture in Bioethics

A remarkable morning at the CUHK Centre for Bioethics! On 13 March 2026, we hosted the 8th Lanson Lecture in Bioethics—Climate Change, Health, and the Right to a Healthy Environment—a flagship event that brought together leading minds to grapple with one of the most pressing issues of our time. We were honoured to have our distinguished speaker, Professor Jiewuh SONG, from the Department of Political Science and International Relations at Seoul National University. Her lecture explored the ethical complexities surrounding the right to a healthy environment. We are grateful for her thought-provoking presentation.

The dialogue was enriched by incisive commentaries from an interdisciplinary panel, including Professor Roger CHUNG (Co-Director, CUHK Centre for Bioethics), Professor Martin O'NEILL (University of York), and Professor Lucas STANCZYK (Harvard University). We also thank Professor Amos TAI (Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, CUHK) for moderating the Q&A session.

Special thanks go to our distinguished hosts: Professor Enders NG, Acting Dean, CUHK Medicine, for his welcoming address; Dr. Ann LAU, Co-Director of CUHK Centre for Bioethics, for her opening remarks; and Professor Hon-Lam LI, Adjunct Professor of our Centre, for introducing the speakers.

The high level of engagement from our audience made for a truly memorable event—one that exemplifies our commitment to fostering spaces where philosophy meets policy, where theory confronts our most pressing realities.

Thank you to all who attended. We look forward to welcoming you to future events!

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The world we inhabit is changing at a pace that challenges not only our environment but also the very foundations of human health and dignity. Rising temperatures, shifting ecosystems, and intensifying weather events remind us daily that climate change is not a distant concern — it is a lived reality with profound ethical implications. To address these urgent questions, CUHK Centre for Bioethics is honored to host The 8th Lanson Lecture in Bioethics – Climate Change, Health, and the Right to a Healthy Environment, a distinguished lecture exploring the moral dimensions of our shared future.

Note : We warmly welcome local participants to join us in person in Hong Kong, while Zoom is provided as a courtesy for our overseas community. To register for Zoom access, please email bioethics@med.cuhk.edu.hk

Why Attend?
This lecture is more than an academic exercise — it is an invitation to reflect on how the health of our planet and the health of our communities are inseparably linked. By joining, you will:

➢ Hear from leading voices shaping the global discourse: Professor Jiewuh SONG will deliver the keynote, bringing a political science and human rights lens to the ethical challenges of climate change.
➢ Gain cross-disciplinary insights: The discussion will be moderated by Professor Amos Pui Kuen TAI, whose expertise in environmental sciences bridges climate dynamics with public health.
➢ Engage with diverse perspectives: Commentators include Professor Roger Yat-nork CHUNG, Professor Martin O’NEILL, and Professor Lucas STANCZYK, ensuring a rich dialogue across bioethics, philosophy, and public health.
➢ Connect with peers and colleagues committed to advancing dialogue at the intersection of bioethics, environmental responsibility, and human rights.
➢ Experience the exchange live with opportunities for Q&A and in-person engagement.