From global health ethics to social ministry

Abstract

In this presentation, Carlo Calleja, a Catholic priest and ethicist from the University of Malta, explores the integration of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into ethical education and practice. Drawing on Aristotelian teleology and Alasdair MacIntyre's philosophy of practices, he argues that SDGs provide a practical framework for teaching ethics with open-ended goals aligned with human flourishing. Applications are demonstrated in two courses: (1) Global Health Ethics (MA in Bioethics), where SDGs address priority setting, social determinants of health, and Amartya Sen's capabilities approach for resource allocation; and (2) Social Ministry, emphasizing diaconia (service) that promotes systemic social justice over paternalistic charity. Examples include Fr. Greg Schaffer's SDG-aligned mission in Guatemala. The talk concludes by urging the translation of SDGs from theory to actionable ministry.