Consultations on Ethical Issues in HIV Prevention Trials
Acknowledging the need to update and clarify ethical considerations for the conduct of HIV prevention trials, UNAIDS and its partners are convening a series of consultations in 2005. Regional preparatory workshops will take place in April 2005 as a lead-up to an international consultation to be held in Switzerland in June 2005. The focus of the international consultation will be on defining principles for future HIV prevention trials (including vaccine, microbicide, male circumcision, sexually transmitted infection (STI) treatment, pre-exposure prophylaxis, and behavioural prevention trials). The anticipated outcome of the consultation process will the articulation of guidance to all stakeholders concerning principles, agreements, and procedures for the ethical conduct of HIV prevention trials.
Communication Strategies
This programme draws on face-to-face interpersonal exchanges of ideas and experiences - in the form of regional and global consultations and a series of workshops - focused on developing ethical frameworks for HIV prevention trials. Participants will engage in dialogue, devising strategies for protecting the rights and interests of "subjects" in research projects that are designed to prevent or address the AIDS epidemic.
The consultations will build on existing guidelines and experiences in addressing a range of concerns from the perspectives of various stakeholders such as researchers, funders, ethicists, trial participants, people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), activists, and community representatives. Organisers state that, "In recognition of the imperative to meaningfully involve all sectors in the planning of successful trials, it is intended that civil society representatives constitute half of the consultation participants."
Participation as a strategy is also evident in the planning process. A steering committee has been formed to oversee the organisation of the international consultation and the three regional workshops. Members of the steering committee, which is facilitated by UNAIDS, include scientists, activists, policy makers, and community group representatives. UNAIDS and members of regional planning committees are planning the regional workshops, which will be held in Thailand, Nigeria, and South Africa. As part of this process, background papers on pertinent issues will be prepared. The aim of the regional workshops is to prepare for and feed into the international consultation through reflection and discussion on experiences of specific prevention trials and processes developed to ensure community involvement. A small delegation of representatives from each regional workshop will participate in the international consultation, in an effort to allow for regional perspectives and conclusions to be shared and built upon.
The consultations will build on existing guidelines and experiences in addressing a range of concerns from the perspectives of various stakeholders such as researchers, funders, ethicists, trial participants, people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), activists, and community representatives. Organisers state that, "In recognition of the imperative to meaningfully involve all sectors in the planning of successful trials, it is intended that civil society representatives constitute half of the consultation participants."
Participation as a strategy is also evident in the planning process. A steering committee has been formed to oversee the organisation of the international consultation and the three regional workshops. Members of the steering committee, which is facilitated by UNAIDS, include scientists, activists, policy makers, and community group representatives. UNAIDS and members of regional planning committees are planning the regional workshops, which will be held in Thailand, Nigeria, and South Africa. As part of this process, background papers on pertinent issues will be prepared. The aim of the regional workshops is to prepare for and feed into the international consultation through reflection and discussion on experiences of specific prevention trials and processes developed to ensure community involvement. A small delegation of representatives from each regional workshop will participate in the international consultation, in an effort to allow for regional perspectives and conclusions to be shared and built upon.
Development Issues
HIV/AIDS, Immunisation & Vaccines, Rights.
Key Points
A report on the outcomes of the international meeting will be circulated by UNAIDS later in 2005.
Partners
UNAIDS, with the support of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Sources
Email from David Hock (of Family Health International) to The Communication Initiative on February 24 2005.
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