InterNICHE history and achievements

Formed in 1988 as EuroNICHE by student conscientious objectors, animal welfare researchers and anti-vivisectionists, and since then has built a diverse and multicultural international network of campaigners committed to active work for full replacement of harmful animal use in higher education

A unique organisation working directly with university teachers to replace dissection and animal experiments, and providing practical empowering support to student conscientious objectors and leading campaigners

Experts in the field, and the only international organisation focused solely on replacement alternatives within higher education

Awarded the Nordic Prize for Alternatives (1997) and the Naef Prize for Alternatives (1999) for innovative work, successful information provision and production of multi-language resources, particularly for Central and Eastern Europe

Produced the influential 33-minute video Alternatives in Education (1999), with teachers demonstrating replacement alternatives on-screen, which has been translated into nearly 20 languages (Spanish, German, Arabic etc) and is available free on-line at www.interniche.org. 

On-going global distribution, particularly to teachers, of the 520-page information-rich book from Guinea Pig to Computer Mouse (second edition, 2003), a printed database of the latest alternatives, with case studies written by university heads of department who have already replaced animal experiments; translations into Russian, Portuguese, Arabic, Chinese and at least 7 other languages are under production

The first international organisation to provide printed, video and web-based material on alternatives in languages such as Farsi, Arabic, Chinese, Urdu, Hindi, etc; and to have active contacts achieving replacement in countries such as Iran and India.

Maintains the world's most comprehensive Alternatives Loan System for free loan of best-practice alternative tools to teachers and students worldwide, achieving familiarisation with alternatives, opportunities to trial products, and direct replacement


The International Network for Humane Education


Maintains the world's largest website on alternatives in education, www.interniche.org, a comprehensive resource available in an increasing number of languages and soon to be radically overhauled for user contribution and participation

Since 2002 has supported teachers' own initiatives for replacement through an annual Humane Education Award of 20,000 Euro, achieving direct replacement of several thousand severe procedures on animals in Romania and India and with potential for multiplying this worldwide through funding the production of anatomy, physiology and pharmacology freeware

Has organised in many different countries dozens of meetings, seminars and conferences from the local to the international level to present the vision of full replacement, demonstrate alternatives and encourage debate. 

Organised the successful 2nd InterNICHE Conference Alternatives in the Mainstream: Innovations in life science education and training, Oslo, 12-15 May, 2005, involving delegates from 32 countries and a very positive spirit; the InterNICHE Conferences are the only major international events focusing on alternatives in education

Performs outreach and speaking tours, including in Japan (two students exposed all the country's veterinary teachers to alternatives, by using products from the Alternatives Loan System to support their presentations at nearly 20 institutes), and in India (involving a 6-week nationwide speaking tour by the Co-ordinator, visiting over 20 institutes and distributing 1200 free copies of from Guinea Pig to Computer Mouse, coupled with meetings with government officials and academic councils to help secure curricular change)

Organises training in alternatives for teachers, students and campaigners, including in Germany, Switzerland, and across India. The Alternatives, Animal Welfare and the Curriculum series of full-day seminars trained over 400 teachers in alternatives in 10 cities across India in October 2004.

Helping to set the agenda by shifting the focus within education from the 3R's to the more educationally-appropriate 1R of replacement; and ground-breaking in our arguments and practice: pushing the boundaries and tackling difficult issues to show that full replacement is a vision that can practically be realised 

Exploring the links between issues and asserting the multiple positive impact of alternatives (pedagogical, scientific, ethical, civil rights and economic) in order to more successfully bring about sustainable change and to make the movement for humane education more accessible

Working with people in all parts of the world and having built connections from the grassroots to the establishment; and continuing to maintain a vocal presence at all levels and in all areas to affirm the indivisibility of science and ethics

Structured for participatory democracy and inclusivity, and working with minimal funds and low overheads, strategic alliances and much voluntary commitment and resourcefulness 



Updated June 2005