Presentation Linz

1
Dr. David Dewhurst, Project Director Director of
Learning Technology, University of Edinburgh,
UK Dr. Jan van der Valk, Project Director NCA,
Utrecht University, The Netherlands Jasmijn de
Boo, Project Assistant, Utrecht Michael Begg, Web
site developer, Edinburgh Steve Fox, Web site
developer, Edinburgh
2
Third report on the statistics on the number of
animals used in 1999 for experimental and other
scientific purposes in the member states of the
European Union
3
ECVAM Workshop recommendation 7a

• The EC should provide funding to support the
  establishment of a dedicated international and
  centralised unit (Resource Centre) to provide a
  comprehensive electronic database of alternatives
  and to hold examples of a wide range of
  alternatives

4
Dissemination of information

• Resource Centre
• Web site http//www.eurca.org/
• Outreach activities

5
EURCA Resource Centre

• Offers advice to teachers in HE, students, Animal
  Ethics Committees
• Reviews and evaluations
• Newsletters

• Demonstration of alternatives
• Comprises
• a computer with CAL alternatives,
• display stand with exemplar CD ROMs, videos,
  mannekin models and background articles

6
EURCA Web site
gt80 registered users from all over the world
1,500 hits per month
7
EURCA Database

• Highly selected, quality resources suitable for
  HE
• Featured alternative each month
• News and events section
• Background information on animals in education

8
Database product information

• Each entry has much more than standard product
  information
• Independent reviews commissioned from academic
  teachers in the biosciences across Europe
• Carry out review using standardised forms and
  guidelines
• Generally, positive assessments of alternatives
• Results of evaluation studies if available
• Learning and teaching support materials if
  available
• Users comments

9
Outreach activities

• Attending conferences
• 21 presentations / exhibitions e.g.
• Alternatives congresses
• Lab. animal science
• Physiology / Pharmacol.
• Toxicology
• Veterinary
• Site visits
• Biannual Newsletter

10
National contacts Programme

• Academic teachers from universities across Europe
  who are sympathetic to the use of alternatives
• Role is to
• Disseminate information about alternatives within
  their own countries
• Participate in EURCA activities
• Share experiences and good practice
• Support a suitable remuneration package is
  provided
• Currently 11 countries are represented more
  contacts expected

11
First Meeting of the National Contacts

• 20/21 October in Warsaw, Poland, following an
  ECVAM Educational meeting
• Extend existing network of reviewers, advisors,
  suppliers / developers of alternatives
• Expand database by supplying information about
  high quality alternatives
• Contribute to Animals in Education section with
  presentations, data on animal use and
  alternatives
• Representing EURCA at national conferences

12
Expanding the network further

• Please join EURCA if you have educational
  expertise or are able to contribute by supplying
  information about the use of alternatives

13
Thank you for your attention!