The RSPCA launched a Citizens’ Assembly on the future of animal welfare in Birmingham on Saturday, in a moment the charity has labelled “historic” for pets, wildlife, and farmed animals.
More than 50 Assembly Members – comprising a representative sample of the populations of England and Wales – met in the Midlands to kickstart the Assembly.
The RSPCA says the Assembly comes at a time when animals are “facing bigger challenges than ever before”.
The Citizens’ Assembly is part of the RSPCA’s Animal Futures project, and Assembly Members will now deliberate over a further five online sessions, before making formal recommendations on the future of animal welfare.
Participants will consider pet welfare, farming practices today and in the future, and the impact humans have on wildlife – as well as the moral and legal status of animals in society – before putting their recommendations forward to the RSPCA.
Gemma Hope, Assistant Director of Policy, Advocacy And Evidence at the RSPCA, said: “Animals are facing bigger challenges than ever before – from the cost of living crisis, to climate change, and the rapid rise of technology.
“Yet there’s a real worry that, amid so many other challenges in society, animal welfare could slip down the agenda. We need the public to get behind animal welfare now more than ever before – so we’re really proud to be hosting this Citizens’ Assembly, a real historic moment for animal welfare.
“Engaging beyond our traditional supporter base, and encouraging detailed public deliberation on the many complex issues that will impact animals in the future, is really important to the RSPCA.
“The RSPCA is proud to have been helping animals for more than two centuries – but we don’t have all the answers. That’s why Saturday’s event was so exciting, and marked our biggest ever step into citizen engagement in terms of policy-making. In utilising this structured Assembly format to consider different perspectives, we look forward to hearing the public’s ideas for what we need to do next for animals; and to empower all people to think and deliberate about their own responsibilities to every kind.”
At Saturday’s event – at the Old Library in Birmingham – Assembly Members also heard from an expert panel – including academics Dr Heather Browning, Dr Sean Butler and Dr Josh Milburn. They shared insights on how they could consider the moral status of animals, the current legal framework, and the ethics behind society’s treatment of animals.
A big part of the Animal Futures project
Citizens’ Assemblies – a form of deliberative democracy – bring together a representative group of citizens selected at random.
Participants learn about, discuss and make recommendations on a particular issue – with notable examples across the world including discussions on reforming the electoral system in Canada, considering the future of nature in the UK, and planning how to deal with climate change in France.
The RSPCA’s Animal Futures project has been encouraging the public to consider what the future may look like for animals by 2050 – and to share their own vision for a better world for animals and humans alike.
Thousands of people recently took part in an online conversation, giving their thoughts on what steps need to be taken to protect animals in England and Wales, and beyond.
That conversation followed the launch of an interactive game – which gives the public the chance to explore five different futures and uncover how the choices they make for animals today will influence that future.
The RSPCA also launched an Animal Futures podcast, hosted by broadcaster and journalist Kate Quilton, which took a deep dive into topics such as robot pets, alternative proteins and using artificial intelligence to talk to animals. Guests included author, ornithologist and activist Mya-Rose Craig, known as Birdgirl, and David Halpern CBE, founder of the Behavioural Insights Team, Nudge Unit.
Gemma added: “Animal Futures has been our big, bold project all about encouraging people to consider what the world may look like for animals in 2050, and how everyone has a role to play in shaping it.
“This Citizens’ Assembly is the next ambitious step – and follows thousands of people taking part in a consultation, listening to our new podcast, and playing an interactive game – all of which have helped stimulate countless conversations across the country about topics as diverse as the future of farming, the impact of technology on animal welfare, and the status of animals in society today.
“We want everyone to get involved in thinking about the world they want to see for animals and humans, and explore how we can create it together.”
The Citizens’ Assembly process itself is being overseen by an independent advisory group and is being delivered by participation consultancy New Citizen Project.
Irenie Ekkeshis, Co-Founder and Director of New Citizen Project commented: “We had a fantastic opening session of the Citizens’ Assembly on the Future of Animal Welfare.
“The participants, representing England and Wales’ population, brought a range of diverse perspectives, lived experience and opinions into a powerful first day of deliberations. It’s always so exciting to see what happens when people come together to debate and discuss complex issues like these. We’re delighted to be working with RSPCA to deliver this assembly and look forward to sharing its outputs in due course.”
More information on the RSPCA’s Animal Futures project is available online – including the interactive game, and the podcast.
