About Us

Background

The Pan-African Bioethics Initiative (PABIN) is a network of individuals and institutions established in 2001 during a pan-African conference on health research ethics in Lusaka, Zambia. Its mission is to promote ethical awareness and strengthen ethical review capacities across Africa. With members from over 20 African countries, PABIN collaborates with TDR/WHO.

PABIN is dedicated to supporting and improving ethics review capacities of regional and national ethics committees. With emerging challenges in research ethics in the area of big health data, artificial intelligence, and pandemic responses, PABIN strives to continue its support through provision of continuous training and creating platforms for the community of practice in research ethics. As Africa plays an increasingly important role in global research, PABIN remains committed to safeguarding research participants, promoting ethical standards, and advancing equity and innovation.

Objective

PABIN aims to empower African research ethics committees (RECs) through training, peer review, and recognition of ethics committees (ECs) through the SIDCER program, to impact the community of research ethics practices and improve ethics review processes. It aspires to establish a sustainable and inclusive bioethics network that fosters broad participation and collaboration, moving beyond reliance on only a few champions, to ensure robust and sustainable ethical practices across Africa.

Goals

Promoting Ethical Standards

  • Promote research ethics community of practice (improved review system via SIDCER recognition, engaged community of bioethics on emerging issues such as big data science, artificial intelligence (AI), emerging pathogens, and pandemic preparedness).
  • Ensure African ECs meet global expectations in developing and setting ethical standards and guidelines.

Capacity Building

  • Train and support ethics committees, researchers, and healthcare professionals.
  • Contribute to the bioethics workforce development and surveyors on emerging issues such as digital health research, big data science, and AI.
  • Contribute to standardized training modules on current and emerging bioethics topics.
  • Foster the recognition of African IRBs through initiatives like the SIDCER program.

Networking and Collaboration

  • Strengthen ties among African bioethics organizations and professionals.
  • Promote participation in international bioethics conferences and forums.
  • Facilitate knowledge sharing on responsible conduct of research and research integrity.

Advocacy

  • Raise awareness about the importance of ethics in research and healthcare.
  • Keep African researchers and institutions aligned with evolving ethical challenges in science and technology.

Policy Development

  • Contribute to the creation of policies and guidelines tailored to Africa’s unique health research ethics context.
  • Build a community of practice in research ethics to address emerging issues.