Training Curriculum from Family Health International Wins International Award -- August 15, 2005

Research Triangle Park, NC – Family Health International (FHI) — a not-for-profit organization specializing in international public health research, education, and service delivery — has received a merit award from the Society for Technical Communication (STC).

FHI received the award for its interactive Research Ethics Training Curriculum for Community Representatives, an entry in the "training manuals" category of the STC's annual international technical communications competition.

FHI has conducted clinical and behavioral research involving human participants from communities around the world for more than 30 years. Based on this experience, we provide technical assistance in the conduct of ethical research and provide guidance in establishing, monitoring, and maintaining high ethical standards in research involving people. This includes guidance on the appropriate involvement of the communities in which the research is being conducted.

"It is very important to involve community representatives in the entire research process, beginning from the planning stages through the implementation of research results. This helps ensure that research is conducted in compliance with ethical standards," says Dr. Roberto Rivera, director of FHI's Office of International Research Ethics, and one of six FHI staff who conceptualized and developed the curriculum.

STC is the largest professional organization in the technical communications field. In this year's competition, it presented 109 awards in 32 categories.

Family Health International is dedicated to improving lives, knowledge, and understanding worldwide through a highly diversified program of research, education, and services in family health and HIV/AIDS prevention and care. Since its inception in 1971, FHI has formed partnerships with national governments and local communities in countries throughout the developing world to support lasting improvements in the health of individuals and the effectiveness of entire health systems.