Ethics Education and Integral Ecology: Experience of the Anahuac University

June 24, 2024

Author: Juan Manuel Palomares Cantero

Introduction

Universidad Anáhuac México, an institution committed to the comprehensive education of its students, has taken a significant step in the field of ethics education and integral ecology by participating in the 12th International Conference: Ethics Education, Sustainable Development, and Integral Ecology, held on the north campus of this university, from June 19 to 21, 2024.

On June 20, the participation of the Anahuac University stood out in two key moments. First, Dr. Juan Manuel Palomares Cantero, Ethics Coordinator of the Academic Directorate of Integral Training, presented a paper entitled "Ethics Education and Integral Ecology: Experience of the Anahuac University". During his speech, Dr. Palomares emphasized the need for an education that not only focuses on technical knowledge, but also promotes a deep understanding of the ethical and social responsibilities of students.

Dr. Palomares stressed that, at Anahuac University, a holistic ecology approach has been adopted, which goes beyond environmental issues and encompasses social, economic and cultural dimensions. This comprehensive approach recognizes that everything is interconnected and that our decisions and actions have impacts that transcend the immediate and the local. In his presentation, Dr. Palomares presented how the university has integrated principles of sustainability and ethics into its curriculum, encouraging students to think critically about how they can contribute to a more sustainable and just world. This effort not only enriches the educational experience, but also prepares students to be responsible citizens and aware of their environment.

Subsequently, a workshop was held in which Mtra. Sofía Martínez Anaya, Dr. Alejandra Gómez Vilchis, Mtra. María Elena Guadalupe Martín Alonso, Dr. Mariano de Jesús Chávez Martínez and Dr. Marco Antonio Valenzuela Ríos, all members of the Ethics Senate.

This workshop presented various innovative strategies for ethical training in higher education, addressing topics such as: the use of the Anthology of Ethics, which are a compilation of texts that serve as an educational tool to encourage critical thinking and reflection among students. Debates, whose methodology promotes the analysis and discussion of ethical dilemmas, allowing students to develop argumentation and decision-making skills. The Anahuac Method of Ethical Case Analysis, a structured approach that facilitates the understanding and resolution of complex ethical dilemmas in various contexts. 

The use of artificial intelligence in the classroom, where a series of reflections were presented on how technology can be used to improve the teaching and learning of ethics. And finally the PAIF (Integrative Application Project), which is a project that integrates knowledge and skills acquired throughout academic training to apply them in real and practical situations. The preliminary results of these initiatives have been promising. Students have shown significant improvement in their understanding and application of ethical and sustainability principles. This change is reflected not only in their academic evaluations, but also in their attitude towards responsible decision-making and their commitment to social and environmental well-being. 

Anahuac University's experience at this international conference not only reaffirms its leadership in ethics education, but also offers a replicable model for other educational institutions seeking to integrate ethics and integral ecology into their curricula. The combination of theory and practice, along with a focus on well-rounded training, prepares students not only to meet real-world challenges, but to lead with integrity and vision. Anahuac University's participation in this conference has shown that it is possible to transform academic learning into a powerful tool for sustainability and social justice. It is a call to all educational institutions to consider similar approaches and contribute to a global effort towards a more ethical and sustainable future.

Juan Manuel Palomares Cantero is a lawyer, master and doctor in Bioethics from the Universidad Anáhuac, Mexico. He was director of Human Capital, director and general coordinator in the Faculty of Bioethics. He currently works as a researcher in the Academic Directorate of Integral Training of the same University. He is a member of the Mexican National Academy of Bioethics and the Latin American and Caribbean Federation of Bioethics Institutions. This article was assisted in its writing by the use of ChatGPT, an artificial intelligence tool developed by OpenAI.

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