About IN AWE
International Animal Welfare Education (IN AWE)
Although Humane Education encompasses humanitarian, environmental and animal issues, the WSPA International Animal Welfare Education (‘IN AWE’) Programme project focuses on animal welfare for children in the 5-16 age range.
Aim of the 'IN AWE' Programme
To embed animal welfare education into the official school curriculum by:
- using the best of current animal welfare education resources and services already available from WSPA and other organisations worldwide
- establishing standards of good professional practice
- promoting the professional development and training of classroom teachers in animal welfare education
- promoting and developing animal welfare education internationally through partnerships.
Professional animal welfare education includes sound content and teaching methodology. The ‘IN AWE’ Programme encourages and uses educational research and development, and recognises that effective curriculum innovation takes place when teachers are supported through professional development.
Learn how you can join the global Animal Welfare Education Forum (AWEF) >>
About the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA)
The World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) works in partnership with more than 880 Member Societies in 152 countries. With headquarters in London UK, and 13 other offices worldwide, WSPA works to alleviate animal suffering through hands-on work, educational initiatives, lobbying and awareness campaigns. We have worked tirelessly for the past 25 years to protect some of the planet's most vulnerable animals from cruelty.
WSPA supports specific projects to provide sanctuary for animals, bring veterinary care to remote parts of the world, run education programmes and help people in developing countries look after their livestock and companion animals. We also support Member Societies campaign to persuade governments to introduce new animal welfare measures and stop cruel practices.
WSPA believes in establishing strong multinational partnerships with other animal welfare groups and governmental organisations so that all those who care about animals can make the maximum impact by working together.
Learn more about WSPA’s work worldwide >>
WSPA Education
A sentient animal is one that can experience pleasure, pain and suffering.
As humans we share this planet with other living beings. When we intervene in the lives of animals we have a responsibility not to compromise their welfare.
- These are the most important messages to get across when reaching out to educate people about animal welfare.
Animal welfare is crucial to people and the environment on a global scale.
WSPA’s educational aims are to encourage and assist the teaching and learning of:
- compassion, empathy and a sense of justice
- respect for animals, and their welfare
- responsibility for our actions
People can learn to take responsibility to improve the lives of animals, and share that knowledge with their families and communities.
Animal welfare at veterinary faculties
WSPA believes that veterinarians play a major role in directly improving animal welfare through their own actions and by influencing others, however, there is scope to develop animal welfare and ethics content in veterinary curricula. The Concepts in Animal Welfare (CAW) syllabus on CD ROM was developed with the School of Clinical Veterinary Science, University of Bristol in 2003 and has been revised in 2007.
To learn more about the 'Concepts' syllabus for veterinarians click here >>
