Advisory — Ethical reasoning and respectful dialogue at heart of Southern Alberta High School Ethics Bowl
Southern Alberta high school students will gather on Saturday, February 28, for the annual Southern Alberta High School Ethics Bowl, a day dedicated to collaborative ethical reasoning and respectful civic dialogue.
The Ethics Bowl invites students to explore nuanced ethical questions drawn from real-world issues including technology, medicine, social responsibility, environmental stewardship and community leadership. Unlike debate formats that reward argumentation, the Ethics Bowl emphasizes constructive dialogue, active listening, empathy and critical thinking.
“Young people are telling us they’re worried about rising polarization and misinformation in our society. The Ethics Bowl gives them a rare opportunity to practice respectful, collaborative dialogue — skills that research shows are essential for countering division and strengthening democratic life,” says Dr. Susan Dieleman, Jarislowsky Chair in Trust and Political Leadership and Associate Professor in the Department of Philosophy at the University of Lethbridge.
The Ethics Bowl is not simply an academic competition — it is an essential civic-learning tool in a time of global complexity.
It matters because it:
• Helps students resist polarization
• Develops critical thinking against misinformation
• Strengthens democratic culture and civic confidence
• Provides a safe space to discuss difficult geopolitical issues
Event Details
What: Southern Alberta High School Ethics Bowl
When: Saturday, February 28, 2026 — 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Markin Hall, University of Lethbridge
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Contact:
Dr. Susan Dieleman, Jarislowsky Chair in Trust and Political Leadership
403-329-2768
Our University’s Blackfoot name is Iniskim, meaning Sacred Buffalo Stone. The University is located in traditional Blackfoot Confederacy territory. We honour the Blackfoot people and their traditional ways of knowing in caring for this land, as well as all Indigenous Peoples who have helped shape and continue to strengthen our University community.