The Armauer Hansen Research Institute (AHRI), through the Pan‑African Bioethics Initiative (PABIN), successfully coordinated the SIDCER Recognition renewal surveys at three leading Ethiopian research ethics committees: the AHRI/ALERT Ethics Review Committee, the Addis Ababa University College of Health Sciences Institutional Review Board (IRB), and the Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI) Scientific and Ethics Review Office (SERO).
The Strategic Initiative for Developing Capacity in Ethical Review (SIDCER) Recognition Program is an international initiative designed to strengthen the quality and accountability of research ethics committees worldwide. It provides structured assessments to ensure committees meet global standards in protecting research participants and conducting ethical reviews. The assessments evaluated governance, operational procedures, review quality, participant protection, post‑approval oversight, and mechanisms for continuous improvement.
A key feature of the SIDCER Recognition Program was the training of local surveyors, aimed at building national capacity and ensuring sustainability of ethics review systems. This initiative strengthens AHRI’s commitment to advancing research ethics governance and aligning with internationally recognized standards.
By coordinating these surveys, PABIN, in collaboration with the Forum for Ethical Review Committees in Asia and the Pacific (FERCAP), reinforced South-to-South collaboration and promoted harmonized ethics systems across Africa. The successful completion of the renewal surveys demonstrates AHRI’s dedication to transparency, accountability, and participant protection in health research.