August 14-17, 2024, Nigeria – Pan-Atlantic University, Nigeria and Strathmore University, Kenya jointly hosted the Institute of Humanities Conference , with support from The Education Collaborative. This three-day event welcomed leading scholars, professionals, human rights advocates, NGO representatives, and thought leaders to explore the application of natural law principles in addressing contemporary issues impacting human dignity.
Under the theme, The Application of Natural Law Principles and Methods to Addressing Contemporary Issues Affecting Human Dignity in Social, Economic, Political, Legal, and Technological Contexts, the conference sought to underscore the often-overlooked importance of natural law in resolving complex societal, ethical, and technological challenges. By examining the relationship between human dignity and natural law, participants aimed to develop practical strategies to protect human dignity across all sectors of society.
The conference provided a platform for engaging discussions, guided by keynote speakers: Professor Juan Manuel Elegido, former Vice-Chancellor of Pan-Atlantic University and a leading figure in Business Ethics, and Professor Juan Carlos Riofrio, an expert in Jurisprudence and Human Rights at Strathmore University.
As part of the conference, The Education Collaborative presented a paper highlighting success stories in building ethical campuses. During a panel discussion, Rose Dodd, Executive Director of The Education Collaborative and Dr. George Mugabe, Director of the East Africa Hub, emphasized the need for academic institutions to proactively embed ethics into their core practices:
“Academic institutions must be proactive in embedding ethics into their fabric, ensuring that every student, staff, and faculty member is not just aware of ethical standards but actively upholds them,” shared Dr. Mugabe in a panel discussion. “Our research highlights that while challenges exist, the synergy between institutional policies, proactive student governments, and targeted educational programs can transform these challenges into opportunities for fostering a deeply rooted culture of integrity. The case studies we’ve explored demonstrate that when these elements align, the result is a campus environment where ethical behaviour becomes second nature, driving not only personal development but also societal progress.”
Other notable panelists included Dr. Ikechukwu Obiaya, Dean of SMC at Pan-Atlantic University; Henry Okoede, Senior Manager of Strategy & Innovation at MTN Group South Africa; Meg Isibor, Ikechukwu Onuoma (SAN), Managing Partner at Obra Legal; Barr. Nneka Ezeani, a Human and Family Values Advocate; Rev. Fr. Prof. Anthony Akinwale, Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Augustine University; and Prof. Olatunji Oyeshile, a Professor of Metaphysics and African Philosophy at the University of Ibadan.
