.
Kidapawan City, Philippines — North Valley College is set to host the 17th Social Ethics Society (SES) Conference on February 19–20, 2027, bringing together philosophers, academics, researchers, educators, and students from various institutions to engage in critical discussions on the ethical challenges confronting humanity in an increasingly technological world. Dr. Rogelio Bayod will serve as conference chair.
Carrying the theme, “Humanity at the Technological Crossroads: Justice, Democratic Futures, and Ethical Responsibility,” the international conference seeks to examine the complex relationship between technological advancement, human dignity, social justice, and democratic life. It provides an academic platform for interdisciplinary dialogue on how emerging technologies reshape human relationships, institutions, and societies.
The conference underscores the importance of ethical reflection in navigating contemporary developments in artificial intelligence, digital technologies, environmental sustainability, and social transformation. It also aims to advance philosophical inquiry into the implications of technological progress for marginalized communities, indigenous peoples, and democratic institutions. International and local scholars will serve as plenary speakers.
The speakers include Dr. Juichiro Tanabe (Waseda University), Dr. Daniel Mishori (Tel Aviv University), Dr. Layne Hartsell (Chulalongkorn University), Dr. Bernardo Caslib Jr (UP Manila), Dr. Noel Pariñas (UPLB), Dr. Anton Heinrich Rennesland (UST) and Fr. John Guo (University of the Immaculate Conception). Fr. Dexter Veloso, President of the SES, will give the Opening Message.
As host institution, North Valley College provides an important venue for scholarly exchange in Mindanao, strengthening the region’s contribution to national and international philosophical discourse. The event also highlights the role of higher education institutions in fostering critical thinking, ethical leadership, and socially responsive research.
The Social Ethics Society, an academic organization committed to advancing ethical scholarship and philosophical discourse, continues to promote research and collaboration among scholars, particularly in addressing pressing social and political concerns in the Philippines and beyond.
The conference is expected to feature research presentations and discussions that explore the intersections of ethics, technology, democracy, justice, and human responsibility. Through these engagements, participants will contribute to a deeper understanding of the moral questions that accompany technological innovation and the pursuit of inclusive and sustainable futures.
The 17th SES Conference marks another significant milestone in the Society’s continuing commitment to academic excellence, philosophical engagement, and the promotion of ethical responsibility in contemporary society. The conference will be held at North Valley College in Kidapawan City, Philippines, on February 19–20, 2027. The deadline for the submission of abstracts is January 15, 2027.