The Calouste Gulbenkian Chair was established in May 2011 through a collaboration protocol between the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Lisbon and the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, with the support of the Rector of the UL. It aims to promote knowledge in the fields of humanization and social dimension of Medicine in a multidisciplinary and global perspective, and to strengthen the interface with social sciences and culture. Its primary objective is to strengthen the academic nature of medical intervention, encouraging research, staff training, and the development of new areas of knowledge integration and social intervention.

This framework allowed gearing this cooperation towards the area of Palliative Care, where the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Lisbon has played a pioneering role in the provision of multidisciplinary undergraduate and postgraduate education and in research, which is our intention to advance.

Professor Peter Lawlor, from the University of Ontario, was chosen as Titular Professor and first Gulbenkian Professor. He is an internationally renowned academic in the field of palliative care and, in conjunction with the team at the Palliative Care Unit/Bioethics Centre, will implement training programmes and scientific research additional projects with the Academic Centre and affiliated units and institutions, in addition to organizing the stay of palliative care researchers at the University of Ontario.

The official opening of this programme is due to be held (subject to confirmation) on 27 January at the Aula Magna of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Lisbon. Two volumes containing quantitative and qualitative research in palliative care, published by the Palliative Care Unit and whose publication is entirely funded by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation will also be presented on that occasion.

Professor António Barbosa
Palliative Care Unit/Bioethics Centre
cbioetica@fm.ul.pt