Ethics of End-of-Life Care: Contributions from the Arts and Humanities

Objective
Care for the dying and their loved ones is a most rewarding but also challenging endeavor. Such care can evoke complex moral questions that often defy standard methods of ethical analysis. In this seminar, we enter into dialogue with the arts and humanities to gain new insights about the human condition, find meaning in the final phase of life, and achieve a truly dignified death.

Approach
Whereas internationally renowned experts will introduce the themes, the core of this seminar will be a sustained discussion among all participants. Conversations will extend from the classroom to cultural excursions in the city of Rome and many shared meals. Participants are encouraged to prepare a short presentation to stimulate still more dialogue. Registration is limited to 20 persons. Combination with the Annual Conference of the Pontifical Academy for Life Immediately following the seminar, participants can attend the two-day annual conference of the Pontifical Academy for Life (3-4 March 2025). The specific topic of the 2025 meeting has yet to be announced. Attendance of this meeting may also include an opportunity to join in the Academyís private audience with Pope Francis at the Vatican (depending on his health and schedule).

Teaching Staff
Jos Welie, MA, MMedS, JD, PhD, President of the St. AndrÈ International Center for Ethics and Integrity (France) and Professor Emeritus of Medical Humanities (USA) (Seminar Director) Andrea Ciucci, PhD, Pontifical Academy for Life (Vatican City) Andrea De Santis, PhD, Dean of Philosophy, Ateneo SantíAnselmo (Italy) Alberto GarcÌa GÛmez, LLM, PhD, UNESCO Chair in Bioethics and Human Rights (Spain/Italy) Henk ten Have, MD, PhD, Professor of Health Care Ethics, Anuhuac University (Netherlands/Mexico) Willem Lemmens, PhD, Antwerp University (Belgium) Therese Lysaught, PhD, Professor, Loyola University Chicago (USA) Joseph Tham, M.D., PhD, APRA Rome (Italy) & Holy Spirit College (Hong Kong).