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Our Story, Our Space, Our Structure: 2022-2027

Inamori Center office
Our Process

September 2024 Update

Our July 2023 - June 2024 Annual Report details the Inamori Center’s outcomes in the context of:

  • Education and Action on Ethics, Values, and Justice;
  • Excellence Through Ethical Leadership;
  • Our Partnerships;
  • and Our Planning and Priorities.

We appreciate your ongoing support of these efforts.

–Prof. Shannon E. French, Director and Beth Trecasa, Associate Director

August 2023 Update

Dr. Shannon French and Beth Trecasa Standing with Bookshelves in The Inamori Center

We are proud to share our July 2022 - June 2023 Annual Report, which details the Inamori Center’s outcomes in the context of:

  • Our Founder and Foundation;
  • Utilizing Our Spaces;
  • Conversations and Actions on Ethics, Values, and Justice;
  • Excellence Through Ethical Leadership;
  • Partnerships; and
  • Metrics and Strategic Plan Priorities.

We welcome you partnership as we help people live ethical lives and create a more ethical world.

–Prof. Shannon E. French, Director and Beth Trecasa, Associate Director

March 2023 Update

Thank you to our community partners and donors. Please see our Priorities and Progress portion of this page for updates.

March 2022 Update

In 2020 and 2021, the Inamori International Center for Ethics and Excellence has devoted significant time and effort to reviewing our nearly 15-year operational history, strategic plans, reports, funding proposals, as well as conducting a comprehensive financial analysis, environmental scans, and surveys and interviews of our constituents and partners.

We are happy to share an Executive Summary of key goals and objectives for the next five years, including some current priorities. Contact inamoricenter@case.edu for a presentation and to discuss partnership opportunities.

December 2021 Update

In advance of the the Inamori Center's 15-year anniversary in 2022, we have completed an extensive strategic planning process and are pleased to begin sharing Our Story, Our Structure, Our Space: 2022 to 2027 with others, including our mission statement, key targets, strategic goals, and beginning objectives. Look for more information here soon and contact inamoricenter@case.edu for additional details or a presentation.

mission and targets

December 2020 Update

In an effort to best meet our mission, we feel that it is necessary to pause periodically, to reflect, to assess our progress, and to consider the ever-evolving environment in which we act. We do this to see if we should maintain the direction we have set or if we should adjust our course. We also take this time to review, refine, and revise how we describe our mission and associated activities, which is currently as follows:

 

The Inamori Center seeks to initiate and support:

We meet our mission through:                                     
 

E

T

H

 I

C

S

 

  • The study, teaching, and practice of ethics to nurture international awareness and understanding of our common humanity;

  • Exploration of ethics from global, interdisciplinary perspectives; and 

  • Ethical inquiry in both its practical and theoretical aspects.
 

E

X

C

E

L

L

E

N

C

E

 

  • The development of future global ethical leaders and the 

  • Recognition of present-day global ethical leaders who exemplify excellence in a wide range of human endeavors.

  • Mentorship of the CWRU student organization, Global Ethical Leaders Society (GELS); 

  • Partnerships with secondary schools; and the 

  • Presentation of the Inamori Ethics Prize to global ethical leaders who demonstrate exemplary ethical leadership and have greatly improved the condition of humankind.
Goals and Objectives
OUR STORY:
We will make our mission, capacity, and investment potential clear.
 
  • Meet with current and potential partners to talk about Our Story, Our Structure, Our Space.
  • Create a comprehensive Inamori Center identity and materials that can help us engage more people, especially internationally, and develop additional support and funding.
OUR STRUCTURE:
We will develop more sustainability through human infrastructure.
 
  • Develop pilot funding and endowed support for ethics at CWRU and create a Presidential/Provost-level fundraising campaign for:
    • additional Inamori Center human infrastructure;
    • at least two new CWRU Professorships in Ethics (at a CWRU School/College); and
    • the student organization, Global Ethical Leaders Society  (GELS).
OUR SPACE:
We will better utilize the power of our physical proximity and resources at CWRU.
 
  • Increase Inamori Center space utilization by:
    • hosting additional courses on-site;
    • making Inamori Center library and other resources more accessible to students and partners; and
    • creatively and actively communicating with those visiting the Inamori Center or passing by our campus footprint in the Tinkham Veale University Center.
Priorities & Progress

2024 - 2025 Priorities

Further develop Inamori Center identity and communication materials that can help us engage more people, especially internationally, and develop additional support and funding.

Continue annual postdoctoral position to increase ability for broad engagement with research and curricular partners. Explore abilities to host two postdoctoral scholars.

Make funding requests and explore collaborations to expand infrastructure of the Inamori Center.

Continue to improve the international exposure of the Inamori Center and
Launch an initiatives to address the ethical, legal, and societal implications of existing and emerging technologies.

2023 - 2024 Priorities and Progress

Create new ways to make sure that Inamori Center Donors and Community Partners feel appreciated, and develop new donors and partners.

  • Created Inamori Center apparel and other branded materials to share with donors and partners. Offered opportunities to meet with special guests.

Create a comprehensive Inamori Center identity and communication materials that can help us engage more people, especially internationally, and develop additional support and funding.

Cover for The Inamori Center Overview
Nomination Flyer for the Inamori Ethics Prize

Establish postdoctoral position to increase ability for broad engagement with international biomedical engineering scholars. 

  • Dr. Émile Torres is the newest Inamori Center postdoctoral scholar. Prof. French serves as their faculty mentor and their research efforts in the role focus on biotechnology and quantum computing. Dr. Torres helps to ensure that ethical considerations are integrated into every aspect of research and development. They arrived at CWRU in November 2023 and are continuing through the 2024-2025 academic year.
Continue research efforts and prepare applications to journal indexes for The International Journal of Ethical Leadership, such as the Ethics Education Library.

Continue to improve the international exposure of the Inamori Center and

  • The International Journal of Ethical Leadership;
  • the Inamori International Writing Prize in Military Ethics;
  • the Inamori Ethics Prize, specifically the nomination process to increase nominations from and for individuals outside of the United States, as well as more nominations for female and non-binary individuals.
  • Created new Inamori Center materials, including Call for Nominations and Call for Papers, which were distributed broadly at international conferences and meetings. Expanded mailing lists to further increase electronic distribution.

2022 Priorities and Progress

Index The International Journal of Ethical Leadership to allow for citation tracking and increased individual and institutional indicators that affect rankings.

  • Consulted with librarians and journal editors
  • Researched index requirements and compared to current journal infrastructure

Formalize MA/JD track and create online Certificate option with strategic international partners to expand Military Ethics MA program.

  • MA/JD program formalized in Spring 2023
  • Continuing discussions on certificate options

Collaborate with CWRU strategic partners on high school engagement to collectively develop and steward relationships and increase participation.

Improve the international exposure of the Inamori Ethics Prize and the nomination process to increase nominations from and for individuals outside of the United States, as well as more nominations for female and non-binary individuals.

  • Created updated call for nominations flyer and increased distribution through Advisory Board members (PDF flyer)
Call for Nominations