Educating people about animal welfare is crucial to animals, people and the environment.  WSPA understands that real change in animal welfare does not come unless you can change hearts and minds, and education is a central part of all our programs.  We also run specific education initiatives, teaching children and adults about how to treat animals and think about their welfare. 

WSPA promotes humane education programs to encourage respect for animals and responsible stewardship, provides training on the humane treatment and care of animals and strives to put in place the laws and enforcement structures to provide legal protection for animals.  WSPA's aim is to develop compassion, a sense of justice and to teach others to respect animals.

International Animal Welfare Education (IN AWE)

With basic knowledge and an understanding of key animal welfare principles, people come to understand and appreciate the role that we can all play in improving the lives of animals around the world.  Through humane education, it is recognised that childrens‘ attitudes towards animals can be developed, and they can become more compassionate and respectful individuals. 

In 1989, WSPA instituted a pilot education program in Costa Rican schools.  The government agreed to include animal welfare education in the official curriculum, stating that animals were living, feeling creatures and expecting teachers to introduce respect for animals.  Children learn respect for wild and companion animals through classroom activities and specially developed student workbooks.  The program has now reached 525,000 students and trained 3,000 teachers in 500 schools.  WSPA's involvement has continued to develop and expand, and the Costa Rican program is now used by WSPA as a model for new education programs throughout the world.

In 2007, the regional office of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for Latin America and the Caribbean endorsed a WSPA animal welfare education program in primary schools. Endorsement of the WSPA initiative by the regional UNESCO office is recognition of the interdependency between humans, animals and the environment. In this way, animal welfare has a role to play in the ‘UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development' initiative.  Read more

Concepts in Animal Welfare - for veterinary students

WSPA launched the 'Concepts in Animal Welfare' syllabus in 2000 to encourage the teaching of animal welfare amongst veterinary students. Colleges in Latin America, Asia and Eastern Europe are now working to adopt this program.

Should you require a copy of the syllabus please contact John Callaghan Director of Education and Training on +44 (0)207 7587 5042 or email johncallaghan@wspa.org.uk
 
Download more information on the Concepts in Animal Welfare syllabus (PDF 283KB) >>
Cambridge e-learning  

Other education initiatives:

Leading African writers have donated stories, free of charge, to a children's book which aims to transform perceptions of wild animals, pets and beasts of burden in Africa.  The Unlikely Burden and other stories was launched on 27th September 2006 and WSPA hopes it will become a school text book in several African countries. Read more >>

Read more about our varied humane education programs >>

Take a look at our education resources page >>

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