Rev. Professor Emmanuel Agius, Dean of the Faculty of Theology, has been reappointed as member of the European Group of Ethics in Science and New Technologies (EGE). Prof. Agius is the first Maltese to be appointed since 2005 as member of this prestigious Group which is independent, pluralist and multidisciplinary.
The were appointed by Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission, and Carlos Moedas, Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation following the renewal of the EGE's legal mandate and the publication of the Call for Expression of Interest in 2016.
The new Group brings together leading experts from Europe and worldwide, from the fields of natural and social sciences and humanities, philosophy, ethics and law. Members range from scientists who have spearheaded cutting-edge biomedical techniques, to leading scholars in the study of information technologies, philosophy of science and human rights law. They bring a wealth of experience advising governments on the societal and human rights implications of current and future developments.
Since its original inception in 1991, the EGE has provided the Commission with high quality and independent advice. Its scope has progressively expanded from a narrow focus on biomedical issues to a broader examination of the major societal questions of our time. have focused on topics as wide-ranging as health, energy, and the ethical implications of security and surveillance technologies. With its new makeup, the EGE comprises 15 highly qualified, independent members appointed in their personal capacity. They were selected from over 200 candidates who responded to a public call for expression of interests. The selection process was conducted with the support of an external Identification Committee, charged with ensuring high-level professional experience and a good balance in terms of skills, experience, knowledge, geographical diversity, gender and age. Members of the group do not represent their own countries and work at the EGE is done on a voluntary basis.
The Group will hold its first meeting on 24-25 April 2017, when it will meet Commissioner Moedas and reflect on the most relevant topics for its first opinions. It will report to the Commission President, and to the College of Commissioners as a whole, and act under the direct responsibility of Commissioner Moedas.
