Workshop on the Ethics of Research Related to Healthcare in Developing Countries -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12 - 14 February 2004 Cape Town, South Africa Competition for Participation Closing date for applications: 1 September 2003 The Nuffield Council on Bioethics published a Report, the ethics of research related to healthcare in developing countries, in April 2002. The Report recommends that medical research in developing coun- tries which is funded by organisations in wealthier countries is cru- cial but must be subject to rigorous ethical safeguards. The Report provides an ethical framework for anyone who is designing or conduct- ing externally-sponsored research in the developing world. A follow-up Workshop will be held in February 2004 to explore devel- opments in this area since the publication of the Report. The Work- shop, co-hosted by the South African MRC and the Nuffield Council on Bioethics, will bring together researchers who are actively involved in externally-sponsored research related to healthcare in developing countries, for three days in Cape Town. The focus of the Workshop will be to discuss and debate ethical and regulatory issues raised by new and recently revised guideline s and to identify obstacles to the effective implementation. Applications are invited from those involved in externally-sponsored research related to healthcare in developing countries. Suitable delegates would include field workers, senior investigators, physi- cians, regulators, members of ethics review committees, sponsors of research and representatives from training institutions. Preference will be given to participants from developing countries. The Workshop is limited to approximately 50 participants, including speakers, to enable focused and active discussion of the issues. Suc- cessful applicants may additionally be invited to give a presenta- tion, to act as discussant or to chair a Session. Programme The Workshop will focus on four main areas: standards of care, con- sent, what happens when research is over, and research priorities. These will be considered using case studies from three areas of re- search: acute disease, chronic disease and preventive treatments. The impact of recent developments and revisions to guidelines will be considered from the perspective of three main user groups - research- ers, reviewers and sponsors of research. The programme will include plenary sessions and breakout groups to encourage further discussion. All sessions will be conducted in English. For more information, see the draft programme at: http://www.nuffieldbioethics.org/developingcountries Applications Please apply in writing including: * An account explaining why you would like to take part in the Work- shop, how you think you would benefit, and how you might be able to contribute. We would be particularly interested to hear of difficult ethical issues which you have encountered in respect to externally- sponsored research related to healthcare and how they were addressed. (not more than 500 words) * CV (1 page) * A description of your current research project (150 words) * A list of recent scientific publications, especially those relating to clinical or field trials * Name and contact details of one referee Deadline for applications 1 September 2003 Awards Successful applicants will receive an award to cover: * return travel to the meeting (standard airfare) * accommodation (3 nights) * full board * copy of any publication resulting from the meeting * registration for the meeting. Participants will be expected to meet all other costs. All applications will be considered by the Steering Committee. Deci- sions will be made on the basis of the applicants experience in the use of guidelines in the context of practical research, ethical re- view or sponsoring research. The Steering Committee will also con- sider areas of expertise, and will seek to provide a balanced repre- sentation of countries at different levels of development. Not all participants will necessarily be selected from applicants to this call for participation. The Steering Committee's decision will be final. Successful appli- cants will be informed in September 2003. Please send your application to: Nuffield Council on Bioethics 28 Bedford Square London WC1B 3JS, UK Fax: +44-20-7637-1712 mailto:bioethics@nuffieldfoundation.org Further details, including membership of the Steering Committee, can be found on the Nuffield Council website: http://www.nuffieldbioethics/developingcountries -- Nicola Perrin Public Liaison Officer Nuffield Council on Bioethics 28 Bedford Square London WC1B 3JS, UK Tel: +44-20-7681-9627 Fax: +44-20-7637-1712 http://www.nuffieldbioethics.org