“to help us understand how individuals and populations become vulnerable to unethical experimentation and treatment, so that a wider cross-section of the world may instead be recipients of the most humane research and care”
The Trust in the Ethics of Research and Care
The Trust in the Ethics of Research and Care was established to support works that help us understand how individuals and populations become vulnerable to unethical experimentation and treatment, so that a wider cross-section of the world may instead be recipients of the most humane research and care.
A Painful History of Human Experimentation
The Trust is deeply aware of a history and present-day recurrence of unethical human experimentation, within and beyond the fields of science and medicine.
That Reflects a History of Subhumanization
Such past and present breaches of ethics are more often than not linked to local and global histories of discrimination, marginalization, stigmatization, and underrepresentation.
Cases as Humans and Vulnerable Populations
The Trust therefore seeks to support efforts that address individual, institutional, and social processes that reproduce such vulnerable populations. Cases and humans who continue to reappear in our shared histories in communities across the world, and demand our careful attention.
Reducing Global Inequities in Harm — and Humane Care
So the dedicated contributions of this Trust intend to reduce local and global inequities in research and care, via an often underfunded but essential focus on helping societies as a whole better detect, end, foresee, and prevent harm in searches for and applications of knowledge.
The Trust’s Finances
The Trust in the Ethics of Research and Care was established as part of the Declaration of Trust of the Chinyere and Chinelo Ikoku Charitable Trusts. It is therefore subject to the general fiduciary responsibilities outlined in the founding Declaration.
Annual Spending
These responsibilities include stipulations that limit appropriated spending in any given year to no more than 5% of the three-year average market value of the Trust’s current principal.
Appropriated Spending I
The Declaration also stipulates that no less than half of such annual spending be dedicated to work on continental Africa.
Appropriated Spending II
It is also expected that such annual spending be overwhelmingly dedicated (greater than 75%) to being of direct benefit to low-income communities and individuals.
To Fund in Perpetuity
Such stipulations are in line with best practices to ensure that the Trust continues to exist in perpetuity and that it continues to have assets to carry out its charitable purposes during that time.
Reports: In Charts and Numbers
Reports: In Charts and Numbers
The Trust’s Projects (Actual and Proposed)
We provide below access to a number of projects partly funded and conceived under the rubric of this Trust. Note that the operations of said projects are typically the purview of The Ikoku Foundations, and so the links will often guide you to their sites.
The Database of Ethical Research and Care
The Database of Ethical Research and Care (DERC)
The Report on Ethics of Research and Care
The Report on Ethics of Research and Care
The Fellowship in Ethics of Research and Care
The Fellowship in Ethics of Research and Care
The Grant in Ethics of Research and Care
The Grant in Ethics of Research and Care
The Newsletter on Ethics of Research and Care
The Newsletter on Ethics of Research and Care
The Trusts Areas
The Chinyere and Chinelo Ikoku Charitable Trusts hold and manage the donated assets of The Ikoku Foundations, with specified attention to areas of focus delineated in the founding Declaration of Trust. Below is access to further information in each of the Trusts Areas.
Education and Research
Agriculture and Sustenance
Civic Society and Governance
Contributions to Public Knowledge
Cultural and Technological Innovation
Energy and Infrastructure
Ethics of Research and Care
Human and Environmental Health
Humanistic Inquiry and Expression
Public Opinion and Civic Discourse
Rights and Covenants
Youth Communities
Governace Suited to Local and Global Philanthropy
We have designed the governing structure of the Ikoku Foundations and Foundations in order to be attentive to needs and operations at the local and global level, as well as across the complex states and societies where our communities reside, living shared, interdependent lives.
With Respect Being Central to Our Ethics
At the core of our founding and governing Code of Ethics is a commitment to the most robust conceptions of respect and humanity, including and beyond what the law has protected and provided for, as we fulfill our twin mottos: to serve the public interest in Africa and its global diasporas; and to account for the past while ensuring a shared and just future.
To Ensure a Just and Shared Future for Many
We are inspired by peoples who have contributed to the foundations and development of their societies, despite a history of systemic difficulties. Who maintain an unyielding belief that the betterment of their human condition will foster the betterment of those living around them, and will enhance the futures of the regularly underserved, marginalized, disenfranchised. We draw from their example a vision of the public good and common community that is our hope and objective.
More About Us
The Ikoku Trusts
About Us • Founding & Overview • Governance • Policies • Press & Media • Careers at The Trusts and Foundations