ETHICS-2023 Session D2 - Panel: The role of human rights in the global helix for technology innovation and justice

Engineering and technological developments are at the core of societal change, influencing and being influenced by society's cultural, political, economic, and socio-technical contexts. However, various engineering educators and philosophers have pointed out that traditional engineering ethics education tends to focus on micro-ethics rather than macro-ethical issues. Therefore, this panel aims to discuss the broader implications of engineering and technology in society using a human rights framework. The United Nation's Universal Declaration of Human Rights has served as a globally recognized standard that briefly outlines the fundamental rights, including life and liberty, and the right to work and education, among other civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights. Those rights are realized within systems where governments and industry play a key role as duty-bearers, and academia plays a crucial role in educating and researching ethical principles and promoting and protecting human rights. All three form part of the triple helix innovation model, where a common theme is the protection and promotion of human rights.