Mangaluru: Centre for Ethics in collaboration with the Forensic Anthropology Unit, Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology at Yenepoya University is hosting the hybrid National Symposium on “Humanitarian Action During Disasters & Research Framework Involving the Dead Bodies” as part of the World Humanitarian Day Celebration 2026 on 29th August 2026. This hybrid symposium brings together national and international scholars, practitioners, and experts to address one of the most pressing and often overlooked dimensions of humanitarian response: The care of the impacted population, safety of the humanitarian aid workers and the dignified and respectful management of the deceased during disasters. As our symposium theme reminds us—“The time for concern is over; the time for consequence is now”— which is the WHO theme for the year. We move beyond awareness to action, establishing ethical frameworks and evidence-based protocols in honor of affected families, humanitarian workers and upholding human dignity even in death.

As conflicts and disasters are increasing, our humanitarian systems and entire humanity needs to respond with both compassion and rigor. This symposium creates a critical space for participants to reflect on lessons learned from recent disasters from international and national experts, share field experiences, and collaboratively develop research frameworks that guide respectful management of the deceased. Together, we commit to transforming crisis response into a more humane and ethical practice. 

During the symposium, the findings of the Capacity Building for Humanitarian Ethics in research dealing with cadavers in the Indian context; the project is supported by an American Academy of Forensic Science (AAFS)- Humanitarian and Human Rights Resource Centre (HHRRC) grant will be disseminated. The symposium will showcase the hurdles, challenges, and solutions to mitigate ethical issues related to the dead and preserve the dignity of the dead. 

The keynote speakers include;

  1. Dr. Oran Finegan, Director and Founder, Forensic Action International, Swords, Dublin, Ireland
    Former Head of Forensics, International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
  2. Dr. Julie Roberts, PhD, ChFA, MCIfA, Associate Professor, Forensic Anthropology, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom
  3. Dr. Uwom O. Eze, Consultant Pathologist & Clinical Forensic Physician, Head of Forensic Medicine Unit, Dept. of Pathology,University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan,Nigeria, Associate Professor of Forensic Pathology, Dept. of Anatomic Pathology, Achievers University (AU), Owo, Nigeria
  4. Dr. Evi Untoro, Sp.FMHead, Department of Forensic Medicine and Medicolegal consultant,Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Trisakti, Jakarta, Indonesia
  5. Dr. Vina Vaswani, Director, Centre for Ethics, Professor, Dept of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), Mangalore
  6. Dr. Muhammad Nasir, Associate Professor, Anthropology Unit, Dept of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), Mangalore