Role of WHO in establishing and supporting Research Ethics Committees

1. Role of WHO in establishing and supporting Research Ethics Committees Global Forum on Bioethics in Research Vilnius, 27-29 June 2007 Dr. Marie-Charlotte Bouësseau Ethics, Trade, Human Rights and Health Law

2. Overview • WHO work on research ethics • The example of African projects • Perspectives for future activities

3. Ethics & Health at WHO - HQ • Initiative launched October 2002 by the Director General • To provide a focal point for the examination of the ethical issues raised by activities throughout the organization, including the regional and country offices • To develop activities regarding a wide range of global bioethics topics

4. What do we want to achieve? • To develop WHO policies and strategic approaches, ensuring ethical standards and analyses are included • To strengthen capacity in the Member States, enabling professionals and the public to incorporate ethics into their work • To collect and disseminate information on different aspects of ethics and health • To contribute to international debate on ethics and health, in collaboration with international organisations (governmental and non governmental), and academic centers

5. Activities on research ethics Collaboration within and outside WHO

6. Several departments working in research ethics at WHO-HQas well as Regional Offices • TDR with SIDCER • RHR and Scientific and Ethical Review Group • IVR with UNAIDS • Ethics Review Committee • PAHO: Bioethics unit created in 1994 • Ethics focal points in all WHO regions

7. Networking for Ethics on Biomedical Research in Africa • SSA funded by EC and completed in December 2007 • Consortium of European and African institutions working with WHO in 15 West African countries • Two main outcomes: • A survey in the 15 countries: RECs, regulations, resources and needs • A strategic plan to improve ethics of research for health in the project area

8. Elements of a sustainable strategy • Quantitative and • qualitative indicators Outcome Improved ethical review process • Output • Guidance documents • Educational programs • Web site • Process • Capacity building • Networking • Input • Human resources • Financial resources • Infrastructures

9. On going projects Training activities: • Ibadan (Feb 07) - EDCTP • Tunis (March 07) – collaboration with RHR • Ouagadougou (July 07) – PATH and RHR • Gabon (07) – EDCTP TRREE for Africa – EDCTP http://trree.org/site/en_trree_home.phtml • To increase knowledge and skills / research ethics and to strengthen partnership • (Training material available in November 2008)

10. Perspectives for the future

11. Strengthen local capacities • Develop training tools for local trainers • Country support for the implementation of national strategic plans • Disseminate information about RECs, national regulations • Harmonize regulations respecting local specificities (harmonized ≠ homogenised) • Maximize synergies between organizations and avoid duplications (national and international, governmental and non governmental)