Conference Overview

Purpose
This conference sought to bring together Fogarty International Center (FIC) program participants, as well as scholars and researchers of various disciplines from Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries and the Newly Independent States (NIS), to exchange information in an effort towards harmonization of approaches to protection of human subjects in public health research, consistent with internationally-accepted principles of bioethics.

Attendance
Attendance for this conference was by invitation only. 

Conference Objectives

• Enhance knowledge of basic principles of human subjects protection in health research;
• Discuss and share approaches, obstacles, and opportunities for the development of national and regional programs for protection of human subjects health research;
• Discuss and share emerging bioethical issues and experiences in the specific content areas of environmental and occupational health; HIV, TB, and emerging infectious diseases; and non-communicable diseases/mental health/substance abuse;
• Provide networking opportunity for the Fogarty International Program participants

Conference Format
The program began with an elective, one-day, pre-conference workshop on Institutional Review Boards (IRBs), which was held on June 3, 2003. The main conference began on the morning of June 4 and concluded on the afternoon of June 6. The main conference included a keynote address, panel discussions, break-out groups, a poster session, and plenary sessions. Participating Fogarty trainees were encouraged to submit abstracts and review the suggested pre-conference readings. The official language of the conference was English. Simultaneous translation were provided in other languages.

Organizing Committee