Purpose/Objectives of the Chair
Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) have become one of the most crucial factors governing education, science, culture, welfare and the sustainable development of civilizations based upon mutual respect and the observance of human rights. Thus, building a fair and just, multicultural information society for all raises pressing and unprecedented ethical challenges in the 21st century. The UNESCO Chair in Information and Computer Ethics (ICE) will contribute to UNESCO’s ongoing efforts to meet them by complementing and fostering UNESCO’s current strategies and activities in this area. 

The purposes of the Chair are to promote an integrated system of research, training, information and documentation in the field of ICE; and to facilitate collaboration between high-level, internationally recognized researchers, teachers and institutions. Its objectives are to develop guidelines and protocols for the discussion of ethical problems and the resolution of existing difficulties concerning digital and online information; to be an intellectual forum for the exchange of ideas and experience regarding the ethics of ICT, in collaboration with UNESCO’s Ethics Education Programme, Global Ethics Laboratory, and Ethics around the World Programme; and to disseminate information to all stakeholders, ethicists, scientists, ICT experts, policy makers, the general public and new generations, about UNESCO’s initiatives concerning the ethical issues related to creative and innovative digital technologies, especially with respect to developing countries.

Chairholder: Professor Luciano Floridi
Luciano Floridi is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Hertfordshire, where he holds the Research Chair in Philosophy of Information, and Fellow of St Cross College, University of Oxford. For further information, see http://www.philosophyofinformation.net/ 

Contact
Professor Luciano Floridi
Email: lfloridi@herts.ac.uk

Weblinks
University of Hertfordshire website 
Professor Luciano Floridi webpage
GPI - UH Research Group in Philosophy of Information
IEG - Oxford Information Ethics Research Group 
UNESCO website
UNESCO Chairs