Ethics
Ethics is both a theoretical framework and a practical guide for human behaviour, shaping how individuals and societies make decisions, establish norms, and manage conflict.
In the second edition of Festival Impacto, once again, we do not seek absolute answers; instead, we embrace the friction of inquiry and the challenge of perspectives that unsettle certainty. In 2026, our focus will be ethics — a theme where doubt is as vital as conviction, and where questioning is not merely encouraged, but essential.
Ethics permeates every aspect of our lives - politics, science, technology, law, and personal relationships - guiding debates on justice, human rights, artificial intelligence, environmental responsibility, and countless other issues. Through a programmatic framework structured around two moments (warm-up sessions and the Festival itself), in 2026 we will explore the tensions between individual action and collective responsibility, justice and pragmatism, tradition and progress. This is not a fixed set of answers, but an evolving inquiry into how we ought to live, individually and collectively, in a world in constant transformation.
Agenda
Ethics in Global Development: Rethinking Power and Responsibility
This conversation invites critical reflection on how power structures shape development policies, the ethical implications of international aid, and the responsibility of both donors and beneficiaries in promoting sustainable and inclusive progress. The speakers will address questions of equity, accountability, and the broader impact of these initiatives.
27
FEV
Palco impacto
Fnac Chiado
18h15
AI: Between Human Intentions and Machine Autonomy
Technology powered by artificial intelligence is evolving rapidly, learning from us, making decisions, and influencing behaviour, profoundly transforming the way we live, collaborate, and structure society. This conversation invites reflection on the ethical dilemmas of AI, machine autonomy, and the social, political, and geopolitical impacts of this technology. To what extent will we continue to control what we have created? What kind of world are we preparing for ourselves and for future generations? And how much of our ethical responsibility are we transferring to algorithms?
27
MAR
Palco impacto
Fnac Chiado
18h15
Ethics in politics and governance: Power, responsibility and public trust
In a context marked by the erosion of trust in democratic institutions, the polarization of public discourse, and the growing complexity of decision-making processes, this conversation aims to analyse how the exercise of power can and should be guided by clear ethical principles. Rather than merely identifying flaws, it seeks to reflect on mechanisms of accountability, transparency, and participation that can strengthen the legitimacy of governance, rethinking the role of public decision-makers and citizens in building a more just, informed, and responsible political sphere.
17
ABR
Palco impacto
Fnac Chiado
18h15
Saúde sob pressão. Ética e verdade na Era da desinformação
Esta conversa propõe uma reflexão sobre os desafios atuais da informação em saúde. Num contexto em que qualquer pessoa pode produzir e partilhar conteúdos, e em que interesses comerciais e redes sociais influenciam percepções e decisões, torna-se cada vez mais difícil distinguir evidência científica de desinformação. Este cenário levanta questões éticas relevantes sobre como garantir escolhas verdadeiramente informadas e proteger a autonomia dos cidadãos.
29
MAI
Palco impacto
Fnac Chiado
18h15
Ética Ambiental e Climática. crescer sem destruir, o desafio do nosso tempo.
A crise climática já não é um alerta distante, é o cenário em que vivemos. Ondas de calor, eventos extremos e perda de recursos naturais mostram que o problema não está no futuro, está no presente. A questão que se impõe não é apenas o que está a acontecer, mas quem está realmente a agir e como.
26
JUN
Palco impacto
Fnac Chiado
18h15