The importance of humane education by Wu Tianyu

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From ANIMAL PEOPLE, March 2010:

 

 

The importance of humane education by Wu Tianyu

 

Among the few nations which have almost every type of

ecosystem, from tropical rainforest to desert to steppe, China has

great natural bioversity, including such species unique to China as

giant pandas, 19 varieties of pheasant, three golden monkeys,

Przewalski's Horse, Przewalski's gazelle, wild yaks, and Tibetan

antelope.

China also breeds 1 billion pigs, 10 billion chickens, and

200 million cattle each year-more than any other nation.

In addition, China breeds more wildlife in captivity than

any other nation.

Even by the lowest recent estimates, Chinese people also

keep more pets than any other nation: two to seven times more pet

dogs, and more pet cats than dogs.

Yet our wildlife, our farm animals, and even our pets are

often badly treated. Lacking animal welfare legislation, China is in

this sense behind more than 110 other nations. Animals suffer from

low status in China because the national education system does

nothing to promote animal welfare.

When we understand the relationship between humans and

animals, it is clear that treating animals with compassion is

essential to fostering human virtue.

The more civilized a society, the wider is its scope of

care. The moral shortcomings of a nation cannot be overcome through

economic development and scientific advances. This requires

enlightenment and education. Therefore, it is essential to integrate

humane education into the Chinese educational system. China has more

students than any other nation. This means that China has huge

potential to promote humane values through education, from

kindergarten to university. When humane education is a part of most

people's education, most people will recognize the importance of

treating animals in an ethical manner, and will support legislation

prohibiting cruelty.

 

Wu Tianyu founded Animal Rescue Beijing in 1987, and

established the China University Union for the Protection of Animals

in 2009. CUUPA, now including 110 chapters at 110 universities in

six provinces, advocates the integration of humane education into

the Chinese curriculum, and promotes the passage of animal welfare

legislation in China.

 

 

 

--

Merritt Clifton

Editor, ANIMAL PEOPLE

P.O. Box 960

Clinton, WA 98236

 

Telephone: 360-579-2505

Fax: 360-579-2575

E-mail: anmlpepl

Web: www.animalpeoplenews.org

 

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