First WSPA Africa humane education workshop
Nov 23, 2006
WSPA Africa brought together 15 animal welfare organisations from East and South Africa to discuss how humane education can improve conditions for working animals, food animals and their owners.
The workshop was held at WSPA Africa’s offices, in Dar-Es-Salaam, Tanzania.
The effect of humane education on animal welfare
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.
Humane education covers topics such as the environment as well as animal welfare. There is evidence that people who have learned to treat animals with respect are also more respectful towards other humans.
"Animal welfare in humane education is the only long term sustainable way of changing the perceptions and behaviours of people. This workshop aims to help participants develop humane education in their communities."
Nigel Wilson, WSPA Africa Director
Sharing experiences, resources and information
Delegates from across Africa explained to each other how they are promoting the concept of humane education and shared their experiences of the challenges they have faced.
Tools for engaging communities were also discussed. Josephat Ngonyo from the Kenyan Africa Network for Animal Welfare led a presentation and discussion on how to influence key decision makers by running a campaign.
Pendo Gondwe and Dipesh Pabari from WSPA gave delegates ideas for using community radio to broadcast animal welfare messages.
At the end of the workshop delegates came up with a framework on how to extend their humane education programs and how they can impart them in their communities.
Jane Spilsburg, one of the delegates from Watamu Turtle Watch in Kenya, commented: “From the view of the workshop we have been provided with information, resources, tools to effectively develop our education programme which was our principal aim of attending the workshop”.
Daniel Yamat, from Arusha SPCA, summed up the workshop by saying, “I believe humane education is the way forward towards changing people’s attitudes towards animals.”