The FIC focuses its activities on analysing policy issues on current and future international research needs; promoting international fora on emerging scientific and medical challenges; and examining ethical, social, and legal considerations related to international research. The FIC offers a significant number of research grants and fellowships as well as international training and research awards. In addition, the FIC is a leading collaborator in the Multilateral Initiative on Malaria.  

Introduction
On 21 & 22 June 1999, the FIC held a 'Workshop on Bioethical Considerations in Cross-Cultural Research'. Approximately 35 invited experts representing various major international, national, and NGO research organisations took part in a meeting designed to develop a strategic plan for the FIC's bioethics initiative. The agenda of the Workshop was designed to deliver an informal discussion on the current foremost issues regarding the ethics of international research, particularly in developing countries.

Purpose of the Workshop
Gerald Keusch, the recently appointed Director of FIC, opened the Workshop by stating that there was a need to develop international capacity in bioethics through training. Globalisation in the training of individuals and organisations in bioethics lies at the heart of this concern. The intention of this Workshop would be to explore a format and a mechanism that would develop a multicentric project that allowed for wide participation and acted as a catalyst for a large variety of initiatives. The FIC conceived of this as a planning Workshop for developing its future policies related to bioethics.

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