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HHRC
2026
We are honored to announce the 25th Annual Health and Human Rights Conference (HHRC), hosted by Queen’s University School of Medicine. For a quarter-century, this student-led, interdisciplinary forum has bridged medicine and the humanities to confront the most pressing ethical issues of our time. This year’s landmark theme, "Belief at the Bedside: How Faith Shapes Healthcare," invites us to examine how diverse worldviews—both religious and secular—influence clinical decision-making, patient outcomes, and the structural foundations of our healthcare system.
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The intersection of personal belief and professional practice is a defining element of health systems in Canada. Faith often dictates a patient’s approach to life-altering decisions, from informed consent and vaccine hesitancy to medical assistance in dying (MAiD). For the clinician, understanding these values is not merely a matter of courtesy but a requirement for cultural safety and the delivery of truly equitable, patient-centered care. Participants in this conference will have the opportunity to explore these crucial issues, discussing how we can respect for one's faith and belief practices while ensuring fundamental human rights principles in accessible healthcare.
Across a two-day program, participants will engage with a rich array of perspectives through keynote addresses, interdisciplinary panels, and the newly added this year, the Travill Debates. Our sessions will navigate high-stakes topics including:​
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Clinical Autonomy & Belief: How religious literacy reduces barriers to care and prevents medical paternalism.
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The Ethics of End-of-Life: Navigating MAiD and palliative care within diverse theological and moral frameworks.
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Institutional History: Reflecting on the legacy of faith-based institutions in shaping current healthcare policy and clinician wellness.
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The HHRC 2026 brings together a diverse assembly of clinicians, ethicists, advocates, allied health professionals and individuals with lived experience. By fostering a space for rigorous reflection and respectful dialogue, we aim to equip future healthcare leaders with the tools to navigate the complexities of human values. We invite you to join us in this critical exploration of how what we believe defines how we heal. Together, we will work toward a future where professional excellence and personal worldview coexist to serve the dignity of every patient.
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