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Acceptance speech for the 1997 Nordic Prize

"Very many thanks indeed to the three organisations who together award the Nordic Prize. It was wonderful news to hear that EuroNICHE had been chosen for 1997, and a great honour. [...]

The vision of EuroNICHE is one of a fully humane education system - an education where the rights of animals and students are fully respected, and where learning and the development of science is firmly grounded in ethical practice. This involves 100% replacement of harmful animal use.

There are departments and courses in universities across Europe where biological science, human and veterinary medicine is taught in this way. At these institutions, the so-called 'alternatives' are the norm, keeping ethics within science and keeping the standard of education high. Computer simulation, interactive video and student self-testing form part of this education. For direct experience of animals, students practice observational work on living animals, perform healing intervention on those which are sick, and use the bodies of others which have died naturally.

But a negative tradition of harmful animal use continues. The suffering of the animals is clear: countless frogs, fish, rats and other animals, treated as disposable tools, are killed each year, ostensibly to teach about the processes of life. This violation of the animals' integrity, this culture of violence degrades animals, students and wider society.

Most students will never use animals in their careers and yet are encouraged or coerced into performing dissection and vivisection contrary to their ethical beliefs. While some acquiesce to such an abuse of authority by their teachers, others are forced to change course or even drop out of university altogether.

It is crucial that support is given to students to validate their ethical concerns and that teachers are exposed to alternatives to animal experiments.

With a growing movement towards humane education but with existing widespread animal abuse, EuroNICHE aims for harmonisation: not the harmonisation of free trade, where everything is brought down to the lowest common denominator, but a raising of educational standards and practice, and a recognition of the value and integrity of animals and of students' ethical beliefs.

Whether as student or animal campaigner, teacher or legislator, everyone has a role to play as a facilitator to help realise this vision of humane education. [...]

The Nordic Prize provides recognition and validation of our work, and combined with our new literature will enable us to step up our activity and, crucially, to help secure funds for this. We know that we can and will end the harmful use of animals in education, and the Nordic Prize is helping us to achieve that. Thank you once again."

Nick Jukes

EuroNICHE Co-ordinator

Copenhagen, Saturday 6 September 1997

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