Partners
The ‘IN AWE’ Programme is for all who share the belief that education can help build a world where animal welfare matters and animal cruelty ends
The Programme is relevant for all those active in one of the following Partnership groups:
- National and local governments, ministries of education and other relevant decision-making departments
- Teachers, lecturers, trainers and support staff; teacher training and professional development providers
- NGO’s, charities and voluntary bodies from animal welfare, humane education, environmental education sectors, or other related areas
The ‘IN AWE’ Programme encourages partners from a range of related disciplines to share with WSPA the work of:
- Implementing animal welfare-based humane education in school curricula.
- Developing expertise in humane education
- Generating sustainability and contributing to this on-going programme.
Joining the partnership
If you, or your organisation, would be interested in becoming an IN AWE Partner, please contact us >>
Where does this Programme link to other areas of social/values education?
‘IN AWE’ complements other areas such as Humane Education; Environmental Education; Personal, Social and Health Education; Citizenship Education etc. In particular:
- Sustainability: UNESCO ‘Decade of Education for Sustainable Development’ (DESD 2005)
- “…Reflections on ethical aspects and dimensions of sustainable development are too often discounted. Yet for a concept such as sustainable development, with its concern with the relations between present and future generations, consideration of the ‘ethics of the future’ would appear critical...” (Read more on ethical principles).
- Earth Charter Initiative 2005 (recognised by UNESCO):
- Principle 1. ‘Respect Earth and life in all its diversity’: 1a ‘Recognize that all beings are interdependent and every form of life has value regardless of its worth to human beings….’
- Principle 15. ‘Treat all living beings with respect and consideration’ (http://www.earthcharter.org)
- Active Citizenship: Children learn to become active and informed citizens, respecting points of view and contributing to positive, responsible changes in a community through a combination of formal (school) and informal curricular activities.
- The Violence Link: There is ample scientific and anecdotal evidence about the link between violence towards humans and animal cruelty. Cruelty to animals is often learned behaviour; those children experiencing animal cruelty and domestic violence are more likely to become perpetrators themselves. Animal welfare education has shown to contribute to the development of empathy and care for all living beings, including humans. (References available from WSPA)
Animal welfare education could also be integrated in Literacy, Science, Geography, Drama/Arts or IT, or be part of informal education, lifelong learning initiatives and the youth activity groups sector.
What are the main animal welfare education learning outcomes?
- To know that animals have needs, that humans interact with other animals, that we share our environment with other living beings
- To understand how human actions can affect animals and other living beings and that as a result we owe them a duty of care. To understand that we are frequently faced with moral dilemmas and that people hold different opinions
- To acquire skills of effective communication (so that we may better explain our ideas and responsibilities), demonstrating appropriate levels of care and of empathy
- To develop and show attitudes of kindness, respect, responsibility
What is the role of research and development within animal welfare education?
As Animal Welfare knowledge and awareness of related issues continue to grow globally so does our knowledge of animal welfare education. Keeping abreast of new knowledge and initiatives is vital. Networking, links with Partners, reporting and recognising good practice, carrying out/commissioning research, the publication of academic peer reviewed papers, participation in conferences, etc. are all aspects of Research and Development appropriate to this Programme.
Quality assurance within the ‘IN AWE’ Programme
It is not WSPA’s intention to coordinate the work of other Partners, or to set or oversee standards in AWE. However, it does propose, for consideration by others, achievable minimum standards it feels are required to gain the professional confidence of those who share the goals of this Programme.
