On February 12, the seventh session of the “IAS X Interdisciplinary Academic Party,” co-organized by IAS, the Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, and the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, was successfully held in the lobby of the Cultural Building. The theme of this session was “Huang Di Nei Jing: An Introduction to Regimen Theory,” featuring Prof. Xin Chen, Distinguished Professor and Director of the Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, Director of State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine (University of Macau), and Prof. Ellen Zhang, Professor of FAH and Head of Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies, as the speakers. The event was moderated by Prof. Xingzhong Yu, Director of IAS and Chair Professor of FLL.

At the beginning, Prof. Chen provided insights into the principles of Yin-Yang harmony, dietary moderation, exercise, and natural alignment. Integrating modern research, he highlighted how balanced nutrition and physical activity enhance immunity, while emphasizing the essential role of sleep in immune function. He further explored traditional Chinese medicine’s immunomodulation mechanisms, particularly their scientific relevance in the context of COVID-19, bridging ancient wisdom with contemporary science.

Prof. Zhang delved into the philosophical thought of Huang Di Nei Jing, highlighting the holistic medical view rooted in Yin-Yang dynamics and the preventive treatment concept. She mentioned Taoist cosmology, illustrating how the human body, as a microcosm, aligns with natural rhythms, and compared traditional health ideals with WHO’s modern definition. The talk also explored Taoist practices like nurturing Jing-Qi-Shen and sex techniques, reflecting traditional Chinese medicine’s pursuit of life harmony.

In the subsequent Q&A session, faculty and students actively posed questions, engaging in discussions on youth skepticism toward traditional Chinese medicine, modern applications of Huang Di Nei Jing, and regimen practices. The lively and in-depth academic exchange demonstrated a vibrant atmosphere of interdisciplinary interaction.

The IAS Interdisciplinary Academic Party series aims to foster academic interaction and interdisciplinary exchange within the university, encouraging scholars from diverse fields to collaboratively explore global academic issues. This session attracted nearly 90 faculty members and students from diverse academic backgrounds, facilitating exchanges between the humanities and medical fields while providing participants with an opportunity to explore traditional Chinese medicine and regimen theory in depth.

由澳門大學人文社科高等研究院（IAS）主辦的主題講座「人類法治文明與中國法治社會的發展」於2024年11月22日在澳門大學崇文樓演講廳成功舉行。本次活動特邀中國人民大學涉外法律研究中心特聘專家周大偉教授擔任主講嘉賓，由澳門大學法學院環球法律學系講座教授兼人文社科高等研究院院長於興中教授主持。

講座伊始，周大偉教授從「人類法治文明」的概念背景入手，梳理了其語詞的起源與歷史演進。他指出，人類法治文明是指在人類社會的歷史進程中，以法律為核心，通過立法、執法、司法等制度化手段維護社會秩序、促進公平正義並保障個人權利的一種文明形態。周教授強調，應避免對人類法治文明的三個常見誤解：將不同的認知簡化為「西方的東西」、將民族的特殊方式置於人類共同價值之上，以及將全人類共同堅守的理念錯誤地認定為中國特有。他認為，文化可以多樣，但文明應該趨同；文明更注重普世性與共性，而文化則體現差異性與特殊性。

隨後，周教授轉向中國法治相關問題，回顧了古代法治的發展歷程，並剖析了近現代法治進程中的特殊情況。針對中國法治建設的現狀與未來，周教授分析了多項影響深遠的發展趨勢。他指出，法律職業群體的迅速壯大與專業化，以及司法訴訟數量的顯著增長，標誌著中國法治體系的不斷完善。同時，法律解釋的需求日益精細化，法律實施的範圍和法治權威也在逐步擴大。這些趨勢反映了中國正在逐步形成現代國家治理能力，並通過科技創新助力法治建設，進一步推動法治社會的成熟與成長。

在隨後的討論環節，現場聽眾圍繞中國法治建設的歷程、文化基礎與法治文明的未來挑戰等問題與周教授展開了熱烈交流。周教授指出，認為中國在三四十年間完成歐美數百年法治進程的說法並不準確。他強調，中國的法治建設主要基於學習與移植，許多成就源自對國際規範的借鑒，而非自主創新。此外，他認為當前的法治成果建立在近代先賢的努力基礎之上，但中國的法治進程仍在持續推進，尚未達到全面現代化的目標。

此次活動吸引了來自各學科的學生和教職人員參與，現場討論氣氛熱烈。本次講座為研究法治文明與中國法治社會的發展提供了新視角，也為未來研究奠定了基礎。

由澳門大學人文社科高等研究院（高研院）主辦、法學院協辦的特邀嘉賓講座系列於2024年11月18日在崇文樓演講廳成功舉行。

此次講座主題為「透過口述歷史理解法律職業」，由香港大學法律學院教授劉思達教授主講，並由澳門大學人文學院歷史系講座教授、高研院副院長王笛教授擔任與談人，以及澳門大學法學院副教授李哲教授擔任主持人。

劉教授指出，傳統的法律職業研究多依賴於社會科學方法，而口述歷史則提供了獨特且未被充分利用的視角。劉教授介紹了兩個正在進行的口述歷史項目，分別聚焦於香港和澳門的法律職業，旨在記錄資深校友的個人故事。通過這些故事，項目探討了法律教育、職業發展和公共服務角色的經歷，揭示了法律職業與香港及澳門歷史的緊密關聯。他提到，許多參與者的故事反映了香港在過去半個世紀中的重大變化，包括1997年的主權移交和近年來的社會動蕩。

講座中，王笛教授對劉教授的研究給予了高度評價，表示這一研究將為理解香港和澳門的法律歷史提供重要的第一手資料。李哲教授總結時強調，口述歷史不僅是對法律職業的回顧，也是對社會變遷的深刻反思，值得法律學子們關注。

現場觀眾積極提問，討論了口述歷史在法律研究中的應用及其面臨的挑戰。劉教授表示，儘管口述歷史研究需克服記憶的主觀性和樣本偏差等問題，但通過多樣化的訪談對象和跨學科的方法，可以更全面地理解法律職業的演變。

此次講座不僅為法律研究提供了新的視角，也為法律教育的未來發展提供了啓示。劉教授希望通過這些口述歷史，為當前的法律學子和未來的法律職業者提供寶貴的經驗教訓，幫助他們更好地理解法律職業面臨的挑戰與機遇。

The UM Distinguished Visiting Scholar Lecture organized by the Institute of Advanced Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences (IAS) was successfully held on November 12th. Professor Liu Zuoxiang, Distinguished Professor of College of Philosophy, Law and Political Science from Shanghai Normal University, was invited to lecture on the theme of “Norm Systems in Contemporary China: Theory and Institutional Structure”. Professor Yu Xingzhong, Chair Professor at the Faculty of Law at the University of Macau and Director of IAS, was invited to be the moderator.

At the beginning of the lecture, Professor Liu elaborated on the concept of the governance of modern countries and societies. Legal norms, party regulations, party policies, state policies, and social norms are the types of norms objectively existing in contemporary Chinese society. He explored the functions and interrelationships of these norms in society and pointed out that there are complex interactions between various norm systems. All norm systems should follow the principles of the constitution and laws.

By comparing Kelsen’s Hierarchy of Norms, Professor Liu emphasized the uniqueness of the norm systems in Contemporary China, which extends beyond legal norms to encompass the entire social norm systems, reflecting the coexistence of diverse norms and the dominance of the rule of law.

During the feedback session, Professor Yu Xingzhong expressed gratitude for this lecture and highlighted the classification of the norm systems and the interrelationships among the various norms. He pointed out the comparison between China’s norm reality and Kelsen’s theory, which provides a clear theoretical framework and stimulates the participants’ in-depth thinking.

Professor Shui Bing praised the lecture for its detailed analysis and effective use of materials. He highlighted the clarity of the presentation as a valuable model. At the same time, he mentioned that many law students came to the lecture, emphasizing the source and functional division of the norm system and believing that legal norms are a dynamic leading edge.

The Q&A session sparked engaging discussions among participants. Professor Liu emphasized the need to analyze family rules for their value and the importance of open judicial interpretations for effective implementation. He also highlighted that party regulations and policies are important within the norm systems and should align with legal principles to maintain coherence under the law.

The lecture not only provided participants with a theoretical framework but also inspired new perspectives for future research and practice.

Last but not the least, we would like to extend our gratitude again to the Research Services and Knowledge Transfer Office (RSKTO) for their support and assistance of the Distinguished Visiting Scholar Scheme.

The UM Distinguished Visiting Scholar Lecture organized by the Institute of Advanced Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences (IAS) and the Faculty of Law (FLL) was successfully held on November 11. Professor Alec Stone Sweet, Sir Y. K. Pao Chair of the Faculty of Law at the University of Hong Kong, was invited to the lecture on the title “International Human Rights Courts: The Dilemma of Effectiveness”. The lecture provides an overview of Professor Stone Sweet’s new book, The Law and Politics of International Human Rights Courts. Professor Xingzhong Yu, Chair Professor of the Faculty of Law at the University of Macau and Director of IAS, was invited to be the moderator.

Professor Alec Stone Sweet noted that each court faces challenges and strives to overcome obstacles threatening its authority and relevance. The book analyzes the emergence of a “jurisprudence of effectiveness”, aimed at raising rights protection standards within transnational justice systems. He also defined three essential elements: a charter of rights, an enforcement court, and the right of individuals to petition for redress. During the lecture, Professor Stone Sweet discussed state officials’ response to transnational justice systems, highlighting the risk of undermining court authority and the legitimacy challenges faced by international human rights courts.

Professor Yu commented that he provided a comprehensive overview of his new book in a limited time, using the system of transnational justice as an analytical framework with three criteria to compare five regional human rights courts. Professor Yu thought it was the integration of law and critical evaluation, offering a valuable model for writing.

During the Q&A session, participants engaged in a deep discussion about the effectiveness and challenges of international human rights courts. Professor Stone Sweet emphasized that while court rulings can have broad legal effects, not all individual cases are applicable universally. He noted that the European Court of Human Rights always faces a crisis but remains one of the most influential international courts globally. Participants also explored the relationship between international relations theory and human rights, arguing that developing rights-based constitutionalism is crucial for achieving peace.

Through his thorough analysis of the courts’ functions, state politicization responses, and the challenges of effectively protecting human rights, Professor Stone Sweet provided participants with valuable insights, underscoring the crucial role of international human rights courts in global governance.

Last but not the least, we would like to extend our gratitude again to the Research Services and Knowledge Transfer Office (RSKTO) for their support and assistance of the Distinguished Visiting Scholar Scheme.