In this special The Ethics of Giving, we will immerse you in the thick of the ethical tensions around charity, philanthropy and compassion.   

October 16th is Global Ethics Day – an initiative led by our friends the Carnegie Council for International Affairs. As part of the theme of global ethics day, we will explore the ethical questions in play when it comes to charity.

Are our first obligations to family and community? Or do we need to think more globally? What does it mean to be a good neighbour and global citizen? Can those obligations contradict each other?

Join us for this interactive, immersive and high-stakes thought experiment hosted by Dr Matt Beard as we explore these questions and challenges of charity and community decision making.

We’re putting money on the table and a range of possible charities to donate it to. You, the audience, will be responsible for deciding which cause they think is most worthy. Participants will have the opportunity to discuss and debate who we are giving our support to.

Where does the money come from? In place of a fixed ticket price we invite you to donate any amount for your ticket, whether its $1 or $100 – it’s entirely your decision.

The catch? On arrival you will be given a badge displaying your donated amount. Will this impact your say when it comes to the discussion? How will you feel when you see your fellow participants donation amount?

But what happens if you the audience can’t reach a unanimous decision on which charity to give to in the time allotted? The donation will be put towards The Ethics Centre’s staff Christmas Party.

We did say it was high stakes, remember?

Scrub up on the ethics of giving, ask whether it’s better to think global or act local, and put your skills of persuasion to the test as you try to convince your fellow guests that your preferred charity deserves the cheque.

About ‘The Ethics Of…’ Series

‘The Ethics Of…’ is an intimate event series that delves into the minds of various experts to examine the experiences, hopes and challenges that make us truly human.