MOU WMA-ICB_2021

Memorandum of Understanding between the
World Medical Association (WMA) and the International Chair in Bioethics (ICB)
BACKGROUND
Background on the World Medical Association (WMA)
1. The World Medical Association (WMA) is an international organization representing
physicians. It was founded on 17 September 1947. The mission of the WMA is to serve
humanity by endeavouring to achieve the highest international standards in Medical
Education, Medical Science, Medical Art and Medical Ethics, and Health Care for all
people in the world. The WMA is an independent confederation of free professional
associations with currently 115 National Medical Association members.
2. The WMA provides a forum for its member associations to communicate freely, to co-
operate actively, to achieve consensus on high standards of medical ethics and
professional competence, and to promote the professional freedom of physicians
worldwide. The WMA provides ethical guidance to physicians, National Medical
Associations, governments and international organizations through its policies on a wide
range of subjects, including an International Code of Medical Ethics, the rights of patients,
research on human subjects, care of the sick and wounded in times of armed conflict,
torture of prisoners, the use and abuse of drugs, family planning and the environment.
Background on the International Chair in Bioethics (ICB)
3. The International Chair in Bioethics (ICB) is an international organization. It was founded
in 2001. The mission of the ICB is to serve humanity by endeavouring to achieve the
highest international standards in Bioethics, Medical Ethics and Health Law Education.
The ICB is an independent organization that is based on an international network with
currently more than 240 Units on five continents.
4. The ICB provides a forum for its members to communicate freely, to co-operate actively,
to achieve consensus on high standards of Bioethics, Medical Ethics and Health Law
Education.
The ICB runs Professional Departments and an International Forum of Teachers (IFT)
with currently more than 1200 members.
Background on ICB and WMA collaboration
5. The WMA has a long-standing history of collaboration with the ICB that has significantly
intensified on the international level, particularly with collaboration at the International
Conference on Bioethics and, more recently, on the ICB Department of Education online
activities.
6. This Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aims to reaffirm the collaboration between
the ICB and the WMA with a view to include further issues deemed of common interest to
both organisations.
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OVERVIEW OF THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
Purpose of the MoU
7. This memorandum of understanding is designed to develop and consolidate the
cooperation between the WMA and the ICB and foster understanding on topics of
common interest, including health law, medical ethics and its education. By sharing
experiences, the two organizations will be able to define effective strategies to further
mutual internal and external development.
Shared Responsibilities and Collaboration
8. The ICB and the WMA agree to cooperate and consult each other on questions of mutual
interest by inclusion in their regular communications
9. Each organisation will invite a representative of the other party to participate as an
observer in its statutory meetings in so far as they are not being held as in camera
meetings.
10. Registration charges for these meetings will be mutually waived.
11. Both organizations will maintain a section on their respective websites containing
information about the other organization, including a logo, a short description and a link
to the other organization’s website.
12. The WMA will list the ICB as a WMA Cooperating Centre
13. This MoU does not constitute as such any agreement on cost sharing, common liability or
any other financial contributions to each other’s organization or its activities.
Sharing Resources and Social Media
14. Both organizations agree to publicise publications and other resources deemed relevant to
each other, and are encouraged to share each other’s work via (social) media platforms
(i.e., Twitter, Facebook. blogs, website, etc.) with their members.
15. The WMA and the ICB commit to support each other in the usage of social and traditional
media, where relevant. Definitions of collaboration in this area must be agreed in a
project-based context.
16. The designated point of contact for each organization shall be responsible for sharing
information about their organization’s activities and disseminating information to the
members of its respective organization.
17. Any usage of logos or other elements of the corporate identity by the partnering
organization must be approved by the other party before being published.
18. Ownership of publications and information shall remain with the party that provides it.
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Specific Responsibilities of the ICB
19. The ICB recognizes the WMA as the leading organization representing physicians
worldwide.
20. Where appropriate, the ICB will provide time and space during its statutory meetings for
ad hoc interventions on matters of common interest and on opportunities for collaboration
between the ICB and the WMA.
Specific Responsibilities of the WMA
21. The WMA recognizes the ICB as a global network of scientists and academic educators
on bioethics, medical ethics and health law.
22. Where appropriate, the WMA will provide time and space during its statutory meetings
for ad hoc interventions on matters of common interest and on opportunities for
collaboration between the ICB and the WMA.
FINAL PROVISIONS
23. For the purpose of the MoU:
• The WMA will be represented by its Secretary General.
• The ICB will be represented by the ICB Head
24. Adjustments to this memorandum of understanding can be made at any time, upon
approval by both organizations.
25. This agreement can be terminated by either organization at any time, provided three
months’ notice is given, including a detailed explanation of the reasons for this decision.
26. This memorandum of understanding is signed in duplicate.
ICB Head WMA Secretary General
23 April 2021, Haifa, Israel 23 April 2021, Ferney-Voltaire, France
Prof. Amnon Carmi Dr Otmar Kloiber