Development of the Global Consensus
From the outset, the work to prepare the Global Statement on Teaching Bioethics in Health Professions Education was grounded in inclusivity, transparency, and an iterative approach, ensuring that perspectives from diverse cultural, institutional, and professional contexts were fully represented.
01.
To advance the development of this Global Statement, a Network Working Group was established on August 27th, at the Meeting of the International Council of the Global Network for Bioethics, Medical and Health Professions Education held in Basel during the AMEE 2024 Conference (August 24–28, 2024).
02.
An initial draft, composed of proposed recommendations to be included in the Global Consensus, was developed and shared with members of the UNESCO Global Network for Bioethics, Medical and Health Professions Education, as well as with the Presidents of the six WFME Regional Associations, who provided valuable feedback.
03.
A second draft was then produced, incorporating this feedback, and presented during a Symposium ‘A Global Consensus Regarding Bioethics in the Medical Curriculum’, at the WFME World Conference 2025, held in Bangkok (May 25–28, 2025). Following five short presentations. The audience of more than 250 participants were asked to provide oral and written feedback and the final draft was approved by the WG on recommendations.
04.
A third draft was created after incorporating the Bangkok feedback and shared at the 2nd International Conference of the Global Consensus on the Inclusion of Bioethics in Health Professions Education Curriculum, held in Dundee (July 4, 2025), to celebrate 50 Years of Medical Education.
05.
Building on this version, two members of the Global Network Working Group developed draft 4, which was reviewed at a Global Network Working Group meeting held on August 25th, during the AMEE 2025 Conference in Barcelona (August 23–27, 2025).
06.
Further feedback was provided by members, leading to the circulation of draft 5 within the Global Network Working Group. The comments received were then incorporated in draft 6 which was finalized on January 5th at a meeting of the Working Group.
07.
The final version of the Global Consensus Statement was approved by all members of the Working Group at an online Meeting held on May 19th, 2026. .