INTERUNIVERSITY CONFERENCE ON ETHICS, CULTURE, PEACE, AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

 

1. CONTEXT

The Interuniversity Conference on Ethics, Culture, Peace, and Sustainable Development is grounded in the principles of academic integrity and the promotion of enduring civic ethics. It brings together researchers, universities, civil society organizations, and corporate stakeholders committed to ethical governance, civic responsibility, and public trust.

The program is coordinated by the Interuniversity CIREP Platform. Through this initiative, researchers gain visibility within a global network of universities and communities recognized for integrity and responsible leadership. The conference serves as a clear public affirmation of commitment to fairness, transparency, and civic trust—values upheld by more than 150 universities coordinated under Ethos Universitas, a global platform spanning 50 countries.

Organized on a regular basis, the conference recognizes researchers as key actors in shaping ethical organizational cultures and influencing both institutional norms and professional practices.

A central component of the initiative is the Doctoral Forum, which provides researchers and doctoral candidates with an opportunity to present their projects. Participants gain international exposure within a global network of institutions recognized as “Honorary Companions” for their commitment to ethical leadership and academic excellence.

2. OBJECTIVES

The conference serves as an independent academic platform that recognizes and promotes ethical practices in public governance while enhancing the international visibility of researchers and institutions.

Its primary objectives are to:

  • Promote ethical governance and responsible leadership in academic and public institutions.
  • Strengthen civic responsibility and public trust.
  • Provide an international platform for scholarly exchange and collaboration.
  • Combat anti-values such as corruption, injustice, and unethical conduct.
  • Ensure that ethical principles remain central to academic, institutional, and social life.

3. CORE VALUES

The conference is founded on the shared principles of fairness, transparency, and civic trust. It seeks to strengthen the voice of academia in advancing ethical leadership and social responsibility.

Reinforcing the academic voice in ethical leadership requires integrating Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) — or University Social Responsibility (USR) — into teaching, research, and community engagement, thereby positioning knowledge as a public good. Universities must model integrity, sustainability, and transparency while promoting systems thinking to foster transformative change.

Key Areas of Strategic Focus

  1. Integration of Social Responsibility (USR/CSR)
    Universities must incorporate cultural, socio-economic, and environmental considerations into their academic activities and partnerships with the professional sector.
  2. Ethical Leadership Model
    Academic leaders should embody values such as integrity, justice, empathy, and sustainability, serving as role models within and beyond their institutions.
  3. Collaboration and Engagement
    The conference promotes collaborative leadership, interdisciplinary dialogue, and knowledge-sharing to strengthen trust between academia, civil society, and industry.
  4. Ethics Education and Capacity Building
    Innovative training approaches should be adopted to cultivate creativity, critical thinking, and a culture of ethical transformation among future leaders.
  5. The 4Vs Framework of Ethical Leadership
    The initiative adopts the Values, Vision, Voice, and Virtue model as a structured framework for developing ethical leadership:
  • Values: Establishing strong moral foundations.
  • Vision: Promoting long-term ethical and sustainable goals.
  • Voice: Encouraging responsible advocacy and inclusive dialogue.
  • Virtue: Embodying integrity and moral courage in action.

Universities play a pivotal role in shaping ethical organizational cultures and influencing both societal norms and professional behaviors. Through this conference, academia reaffirms its responsibility as a transformative force for peace, ethical governance, and sustainable development.

5. TOPICS, METHODOGOLOGY, VENUE, PERIOD AND DAY

Topics SUB-TOPICS
 

 

ETHICS AND GOVERNANCE

 Corporate Social Responsibility and Ethics in Local Contexts: The Case of Companies in different countries

 
Justice, Equity and Human Rights in Development

 
 

 

CULTURE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

 The Family as a Unit of Ethical and Sustainable Governance: Contribution of Eco-Citizen Behaviors to Household Economic Performance in different countries

 
Contribution of the Family and Organizations to the Ethical and Cultural Construction of Countries Society

 
 

 

IDENTITY, EDUCATION, AND OTHERNESS

 The Contribution of Family and Organizations to the Ethical and Cultural Development of Countries Society

 
Audiovisual Narratives, Ethical Social Learning, and the “Chosen Family”: Media as a Cultural Lever for Responsible Citizenship

 
LANGUAGE OF THE HEART FOR PEACE The language of the heart: finding connection across countries  cultures

6. METHODOLOGY

The conference adopts a comparative and analytical research approach. Participating researchers will examine the ethical, cultural, governance, and sustainable development contexts of their respective countries and compare them with those of another selected country.

Each presentation will:

  • Analyze the current national context regarding ethics, governance, culture, peace, and sustainable development.
  • Identify key challenges and systemic gaps.
  • Highlight best practices and transferable lessons learned.
  • Provide practical and policy-oriented recommendations.

This comparative framework encourages cross-cultural dialogue, knowledge exchange, and evidence-based solutions. It promotes global learning while remaining sensitive to local realities.

Format

  • Venue: Zoom Video Conference (Virtual Platform)
  • Time: 15:00 GMT
  • Frequency: Every Sunday
  • Commencement Date: 15 February 2026

The virtual format ensures broad international participation, accessibility, and continuous engagement among partner institutions.

7. PERSPECTIVES

The initiative brings together researchers, scholars, and academic leaders from 150 universities across 50 countries under the Ethos Universitas and Communities network.

By fostering interdisciplinary and intercultural dialogue, the conference aims to:

  • Strengthen international academic collaboration.
  • Promote shared ethical standards across institutions.
  • Build sustainable partnerships between universities and communities.
  • Encourage joint research publications and policy engagement.

This global participation reinforces the conference’s role as a dynamic platform for advancing ethical academic culture worldwide.

8. COORDINATION

The conference is coordinated by a multidisciplinary leadership team:

  • Administrative Coordinator: Ernestine Yameogo
  • Scientific Coordinator: Kouame Banaon Emmanuel
  • Media Content and English Translation for Publication: Bénigne Ira
  • Moderator: Narcisse Ntawigenera
  • Chairperson: Mukamba Ngandu Blaise

This coordination structure ensures academic rigor, effective communication, and institutional accountability.

9. AWARD

Participants who successfully develop and present research papers will be awarded Certificates of Recognition.

These certificates acknowledge:

  • Commitment to ethical research and academic integrity.
  • Contribution to comparative and interdisciplinary scholarship.
  • Active participation in promoting ethical governance and sustainable development.

Selected outstanding papers may also be considered for publication within the Ethos Universitas academic network.

10. ORGANISER AND PARTNERS

Organiser:
Distant Production House University

Partners:

  • Ethos Universitas
  • Honorary Companions across 150 Universities in 50 Countries
  • Academic Researchers and Scholars
  • Local Governance Institutions

These partnerships strengthen institutional credibility, international outreach, and policy impact.

11. UPCOMING SUMMIT

The next major milestone is the Ethos Universitas Awarding Summit, scheduled for October 2026 in Belgium (Hybrid/Online Format).

During this summit:

  • Institutions and students will present their contributions to ethical academic culture.
  • Awards will be conferred to outstanding institutions and researchers.
  • Strategic discussions will be held on strengthening global ethical leadership in higher education.

The summit represents a culminating platform for celebrating excellence, fostering collaboration, and advancing sustainable academic transformation.

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