Animal Protection in Education - The successful strategy from Austria
For more than 20 years now, animal protection teachers from the association "Animal Protection in Education" have been in place in Styria and Carinthia. The figures speak for themselves. In the year 2005-2006 alone, 110 schools were visited, and approximately 7,000 children introduced to animal protection issues.
Since 1989 (for the first few years with Charlotte Probst, from 1988 on an official basis) around 2 million youngsters in Austrian schools were reached in the course of the project "Animal Protection in Education". This number would certainly increase if one counted teaching sessions in neighbouring countries, above all Germany, but also many Eastern States, for example Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.
In Austria alone, 55 unemployed teachers gained a job through the work of the project, but it is also very significant that these teachers were able to maintain contact with children and young people in such a purposeful way. Since its inception in 1990, some 300 teachers have been trained in animal protection.
This form of animal protection work has brought with it a discernible change in the way we think about the relationship between animals and humans. "Animal Protection in Education" has proved to be a counterbalance to violent tendencies, creates fulfilling ways of spending leisure time and promotes humanity and a greater sense of responsibility.
Animal Protection in Education develops the personality and has an important ethical function.
As a qualified primary school teacher, Charlotte Probst recognized the importance of bringing animal protection into schools and passing on the humane notion of freedom from violence to the next generation. She founded the "Federal Association of Animal Liberators", which in 2006 was renamed the "Association for Animal Protection in Education". Since 1990, she and a team of experts from various subject areas have trained animal protection teachers all over Europe. We offer an introduction to animal protection work, precise technical information about the animals' situation as well as teaching methodology for practical work. Our seminar takes place every year in the Summer holidays, and we are very pleased about your registration.