Statement of aspiration: improving research by involving children and young people

A number of key life-sciences industry representatives have signed up to a statement of aspiration which highlights the importance of active collaboration with children and young people and their parents to improve research. It acknowledges the role of Young Persons’ Advisory Groups in facilitating this kind of involvement in the UK and stresses the need to find secure funding for these groups.

The statement was an outcome of a meeting hosted by the Council on 22 April 2016 which brought together young people, industry representatives and staff from the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR). So far, signatories include:

• The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI)
• AstraZeneca
• The Ethical Medicines Industry Group (EMIG)
• GenerationR
• GSK
• The Health Research Authority (HRA)
• The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR)
• Proveca
• Quintiles
• Roche
• UCB

The statement will now inform the development of a position paper setting out guidance on good practice and showcasing what young people can contribute to clinical research processes.

Download the statement of aspiration.

Download a note of the meeting hosted by the Council on 22 April.

Find out more about the Council’s work on children and research.