Ethics Conference

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http://hdl.handle.net/11071/3926
The Ethics Conference plays a major role in transforming leadership and governance in the East African region and brings together actors from the Public and the Private sector to share experiences and perspectives on ethical issues.

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    Analyzing ethics at the university level and its effective contribution to nation-building
    (Strathmore University, 2011) Musya, Mercy; Gathua, Peter; Ngeene, Duncan
    Education is a basic human need. Not only should it contribute to the growth of an individual’s knowledge but also their character. Education unlocks peoples’ potential and it is in this way that knowledge is power. Individuals especially in third world countries have a stereotypical view of the purpose, quality and quantity of education required as a basic foundation for life. Given the changes and developments in the world, man is coming to the realization that the basic educational system needs to be adjusted accordingly. An education system is inadequate if it teaches young people how to make a living but doesn't teach them integrity and values. The current education system in Kenya has produced a vast population knowledgeable but unable to efficiently apply that knowledge into relevant skill so as to contribute positively to nation-building. Likewise, when individuals are knowledgeable and skilled but lacking in or oblivious of the need for human dignity, education is incomplete. Therefore, various adjustments must be made to the system to increase its efficiency and this research tries to establish to what extent ethics is instilled at the University level of education. The research methods to be used will include primary methods such as one on one interviews with current and former university students and secondary techniques such as academic articles and journals. To guarantee authenticity of the data acquired a comparison will be carried out to check for consistency of the different individual opinions we receive. Also, the use of academic articles and journals as a reference will guarantee this paper’s validity. The weight of this research is basically finding out to what extent the education system at the university level promotes ethics in the society and how this plays a role of ethics in Nation Building. Based on the research, solutions and recommendations are being looked into for adjusting the university system and its curriculum in order for it to be more cogent and fulfill its purpose of turning scholars into complete beings with knowledge, wisdom, skill and dignity. The research also involves implementing one of the recommendations and describing the outcomes (positive, neutral or negative) and giving reasons based on these outcomes. Based on this experience, relevant and innovative adjustments will be made to the previous recommendations. This study is to be a conclusive and helpful contribution to the current education system; relevant and applicable in relevant institutions.
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    Devolution and nation building in Kenya
    (Strathmore University, 2011) Mulwa, Koki; Chege, Bernard N.; Nabulumbi, Lisa W.
    One of the key reforms of the constitution is the establishment of devolution through the country’s government. It is in the current constitution and will only come into effect after the next general elections, when the county assemblies and governors will be elected. (Ghai, Y& Ghai, J,) In this paper we have talked about devolution and related it to the dignity of the human person. First we have given a definition for devolution as per the Kenyan context. Secondly, we will look at how the United Kingdom has being impacted since devolution was enforced. Thirdly, we looked at three aspects of devolution; objects and principles of a devolved government, financial aspect of devolution and the gender aspect of devolution. We came to the basis of these aspects by looking at how the common “mwananchi” will be affected by them. Lastly, we have given a summary of the responses we got from conducting an interview. We interviewed our fellow students and lecturer’s on their thoughts about devolution being implemented in Kenya. This includes the positive and negative effects of devolution and whether the country can afford this form of government.
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    Ethical leadership practice: the foundation of political and economic development in Kenya.
    (Strathmore University, 2011) Minja, David
    The subject of ethical practices in Kenya has been a hot one for the last two decades. Unethical practices in organizations and at the political arena have been widely reported in the wake of many high-profile management and financial scandals. Even with the establishment of the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission and laws and regulations aimed at curbing corruption, the situation has not improved significantly. Leaders are coming under increasing scrutiny because of the role they play in managing ethical conduct and modelling ethical behaviour. Failure of political leaders and executives to provide moral leadership has led to citizens being disappointed and national goals remaining largely unmet. Increasingly so, recent debates about issuance of citizenship certificates may leave many citizens disenfranchised; all of which have a major influence on political and economic development. Theory and research suggest that leaders should, and do, influence ethical behaviour. This paper explores theoretical arguments why leaders should play an important role of influencing ethical behaviour and why it is imperative for them to model the desired behaviour. The paper explores ethical practices from Aristotle’s perspective, cognitive moral development and social learning theories. This paper also tries to argue that laws alone cannot ‘convert’ the society that has developed and perfected the art of unethical practices. A new way of thinking is necessary, that will involve and empower everyone to start thinking and behaving in an ethical way. The paper therefore provides a prescriptive model of addressing ethical dilemmas in the public service in order to promote nation building. Several recommendations applicable not only to the public service but also to other Kenyan sectors have been made and it is believed that if adopted will go a long way in transforming leaders and followers into ethically responsible people who will foster nation building. The work of transformation begins with leaders who are themselves transformed and in turn mentor others to produce the desired behaviour. In this way, political and economic development in Kenya will cease to be a mirage.
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    Understanding global policy and funding to build new proposals for person centered solutions
    (Strathmore University, 2012) Halpine, Anna
    “[r]eproductive health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity, in all matters relating to the reproductive system and its functions and processes. Reproductive health therefore implies that people are able to have a satisfying and safe sex life and that they have the capability to reproduce and the Reproductive health freedom to decide if, when and how often to do so. Implicit in this last condition are the right of men and women to be informed and to have access to safe, effective, affordable and acceptable methods of family planning of their choice, as well as other methods of birth control which are not against the law, and the right of access to appropriate health-care services that will enable women to go safely through pregnancy and childbirth and provide couples with the best chance of having a healthy infant.”“That definition (found in paragraph 7.2 of the Program of Action) does not include any reference to abortion at all. On the contrary, rather than imposing on any State an obligation to legalize or de-penalize abortion, the ICPD Program of Action explicitly Reproductive health recognizes the sovereignty of states to legislate on that matter”. – notes on Article 7, SJA
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    The Role of women in nation building
    Ngunjiri, Irene; Gachenga, Elizabeth
    The task of nation building requires the participation of all regardless of their race, ethnicity or gender in the creation of a strong state. The challenge of balancing between the need for unity and the recognition for diversity in the course of nation building is manifest not just in the interaction between Kenyans of different racial and ethnic backgrounds but also between the different genders. Strathmore University’s motto ‘that all may be one’ articulates the institution’s commitment to contribute through education to this task of nation building in a spirit of unity of races, ethnicities and gender. The appreciation of the need for gender equality has led to the enshrining of affirmative principles in Kenya’s new Constitution to ensure the participation of women at all levels of national decision making. This important milestone provides the opportunity to reflect on the role of women in nation building and thus the education that women should receive in order to prepare them to effectively contribute to nation building. This paper reflects on this by addressing the questions: What makes woman “woman”?; and What type of education does she need so as to make that unique contribution to nation building that only she can make?
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    Implementing 5-pillars to create a new society, new nation, and new leadership quality in kenya
    Gichuru, Francis Xavier
    In this discourse, we deliberately climb down from the academic citadel and attempt to put in practice what we have authoritatively identified as five pillars that characterised the African traditional education process, a bold decant of intangible cultural heritage (ICH) from Africa. Discounting any controversies, we have propounded these pillars as the sound foundation from the African traditional culture on which the modern Kenya (and, by extension, Africa and the wider global family) can rediscover sanity in her socioeconomic development agenda, especially now that she has launched a new constitutional order. This is, consequently, a proposal for resolving a predicament that has dragged the country backwards since independence in her attempt to advance in favour of the common good. In view of that, therefore, we note that the cultural ethos of the Kenyan society today has been warped by modernisation and globalisation. During the cultural transformation that took place when Kenyans/Africans were adapting to modernisation, something must have gravely gone wrong. Kenyans understood globalisation or modernisation to mean indiscriminately adopting foreign values and lifestyles, dropping what is African or indigenous, wrongly believing that whatever was practised in traditional society, however positive, was not good. This understanding left Kenyans in the confused state as seen today, and Kenyans must take responsibility for this.
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    Metamorphosis of confucian heritage culture and the possibility of an Asian education research methodology
    Park, Jae
    This paper opens with a critical analysis of a paradox in contemporary educational research in and about Confucian Heritage Culture (CHC): The assumption that national boundaries coincide with that of a distinct and homogeneous culture, which consistently renders rather homogenous set of educational phenomena, collides against a more widely accepted discourse—culture transcends geographical frontiers and is ever evolving in character. It is claimed that this paradox is due to the fact that a thin conception of CHC competes neck to neck with a thick conception of it. This paper also addresses the possibility of an ad hoc education research methodology in and about CHC and its compliance issues regarding the mainstream Western research dynamics and philosophy of science. Confucian elements relevant to CHC research rationale are discussed to argue that first, a research is inextricably a moral act insofar free actors are involved in it, second, most sui generis methodological problems attached to CHC occur in the sphere of ethics and, third, a research methodology that takes into account phenomenographic variation could be the best suited to ease emic-etic tensions inherent to CHC-based research.
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    A Study on knowledge, attitude and use of hormonal contraceptives among University students
    Ndungu, Allen; Kendagor, Caleb
    There has been sustained campaign for adoption of hormonal contraceptives for use by the general population worldwide to avoid unwanted pregnancies, unsafe abortions and reduce population growth. The main targets of these campaigns are the teenagers in schools, both primary and secondary since they are the most risk of unwanted pregnancies.
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    The Benefits of research partnerships to the community at KEMRI/Walter Reed Project
    OKoth, George; Otieno, Lucas; Owira, Victorine; Ogutu, Bernhards; Otieno, Walter
    Ethical Principles on Human Subject Protection in Clinical Research revolves around Autonomy, Beneficence and Justice. Beneficence requires that the benefits to research participants are maximized as you minimize the risk There’s need to enhance health, healthcare and general well being of communities participating in research Background well being of communities participating in research. Many local communities in developing countries have limited access to basic healthcare making them vulnerable and open to undue influence. Without collaborative partnership, strong interest and investment by government, research results may not influence policy making decisions and allocation of scarce healthcare resources. The KEMRI/Walter Reed Project a collaborative research program has conducted clinical trials for over 20 years in Kenya. During this period its objectives have included working with partners to maximize research benefits in the community in which it works by effectively utilizing the available resources to address local health needs.
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    Towards an understanding of sub-Saharan African fertility transition with particular reference to Kenya
    Grimes, Seamus
    9TH Annual ethics conference. Theme : Bioethics medical, legal, environmental and cultural aspects in healthcare ethics at STRATHMORE UNIVERSITY, 25-26 OCTOBER 2012.
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    Human rights, human life, human dignity
    Lord, David Alton
    9TH Annual ethics conference. Theme : Bioethics medical, legal, environmental and cultural aspects in healthcare ethics at STRATHMORE UNIVERSITY, 25-26 OCTOBER 2012.
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    Ethics review guidelines in Kenya
    Langat, Simon Dr.
    9TH Annual ethics conference. Theme : Bioethics medical, legal, environmental and cultural aspects in healthcare ethics at STRATHMORE UNIVERSITY, 25-26 OCTOBER 2012.
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    Human rights : bioethical and biopolitical implications of torture
    Daverio, Margherita
    9th Annual Ethics Conference. Theme : Bioethics medical, legal, environmental and cultural aspects in healthcare ethics at Strathmore University, 25-26 October 2012.
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    Public and private sector ethical iniiatives to combat corruption in Africa
    Waweru , Humphrey
    Today in Africa, there is a growing awareness that humanity is threatened not only by regional conflicts but also by continued injustices among peoples and nations, perpetuated through corruption. The root cause of corruption is due to lack of ethical behaviors by the leaders. Lack of respect for the poor has resulted into plundering of resources causing a progressive decline in the quality of life. The sense of precariousness and corruption that such a situation engenders is a seedbed for collective selfishness, disregard for others and dishonesty. Faced with the widespread corruption of the individual as well as of governments, people everywhere are coming to understand that we cannot continue to enjoy equality in sharing the national resources as we ought to. The public in general as well as political leaders are concerned about this problem. And experts from a wide range of disciplines are studying its causes. Moreover, a new ethical awareness is beginning to emerge which, rather than being downplayed, ought to be encouraged to develop into concrete programs and initiatives. Many ethical values, fundamental to the eradication of corruption are particularly relevant to the ethical question. The fact that many challenges facing Africa today are politically motivated confirms the need for carefully coordinated ethical initiatives based on a morally coherent world view. So what are Ethical Initiatives required by both the government and the private sector to combat corruption in Africa in the 21st Century? As has often been noted, an important step toward addressing any problem is accurate diagnosis. Corruption has many characteristics or dimensions. Corruption in Africa is characterized by lack of moral ethics, human exploitation, selfishness, greed as well as oppression and absence of good governance that is ‘state failure’. The unethical governments are also faced with national economic mismanagement which leads to lack of justice and fairness. Such unethical practices interact and combine to keep individuals and at times governments in persistent corruption. So this paper intends to critically analyse unethical practices among individuals and governments that contribute to corruption, and how good initiatives could help in combating corruption. This paper will demonstrate that good ethics can cause profound changes in the politics of our times that could free the society from corruption.
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    Gender ideology proposals and its consequences
    Miranda, Martha Dr.
    For more than a decade the evolution of the notion of the term “gender” has grown in importance, both in intellectual debate and in the realm of praxis. Initially,the expression “gender” was used within the field of grammar in order to distinguish masculine, feminine or neuter words. However, from the beginning of the second half of the 20th century, this word has undergone a conceptual change due to its increased use in other areas and, in particular, for having substituted the classical term “sex”,employed in order to designate the human sexual duality, man-woman. In this context,it can be affirmed that gender has displaced sex in contemporary anthropological,social, political and legal discourse. In addition, it has found a definitive place in academic language and in legislation. Although the word gender by itself doesn’t have a positive or negative way to be understood, the problem is its interpretation. Today one of the leading interpretations is called “gender ideology”.
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