SIDCER Recognition

About the Program

The Strategic Initiative for Developing Capacity in Ethical Review (SIDCER) was established in 2001 to address disparities in ethical review standards worldwide. Supported by the WHO’s Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR), SIDCER focuses on promoting ethical integrity in health research by enhancing the effectiveness and quality of ethics committees globally.

Vision

To ensure the protection of human participants in all research endeavors in Low and Middle Income Countries.

Mission

To uphold the highest ethical and scientific standards in research and foster quality, independent, and effective ethical review processes, respecting cultural, regional, and national differences.

Core Objectives

  • Capacity Building: Develop the competencies of ethics committees through education, training, and mentorship programs.
  • Standardization: Promote adherence to globally recognized ethical review guidelines and operating procedures.
  • Recognition: Evaluate and recognize ethics committees that meet established standards of quality and independence.
  • Collaboration: Facilitate global and regional partnerships to harmonize ethical practices and share best practices.

Key Activities

  • Ethics Committee Training: Conduct courses and workshops on human subject protection, SOP development, and ethics review processes.
  • Recognition Program: Implement a systematic approach to assess ethics committees through self-assessments, surveys, and corrective action plans, culminating in formal recognition for meeting SIDCER standards.
  • Network Building: Support regional forums like FERCAP (Asia-Pacific), PABIN (Africa), and FECCIS (Eastern Europe), strengthening localized ethical review frameworks.
  • Policy Advocacy: Promote the development of national and international policies that align with ethical principles in health research.

Impact and Achievements

  • Enhanced the quality and consistency of ethical reviews globally, particularly in Low and Middle Income countries.
  • Empowered ethics committees to adapt to emerging research challenges, such as AI, big data, and pandemic preparedness.
  • Influenced regulatory changes to improve participant protection and research transparency.
  • Facilitated the recognition of over 40 ethics committees across multiple regions, fostering global credibility and compliance.

SIDCER serves as a cornerstone in the global effort to harmonize ethical practices, ensuring that health research is conducted responsibly with the rights and welfare of participants at its core. For more information, Read more on SIDCER website.