Humane Education: Cultivating Solutionaries for a Sustainable World

Humane education is often narrowly perceived as relating to humane societies and animal welfare. However, the Institute for Humane Education (IHE) offers a more comprehensive definition. It defines humane education as an interdisciplinary field connecting human rights, animal protection, and environmental sustainability. This approach aims to equip individuals with the skills and knowledge to become "solutionaries" who can address complex global challenges.

What is a Solutionary?

The term "solutionary" was coined by Zoe Weil, the president and co-founder of IHE. A solutionary is someone who identifies inhumane, unjust, and unsustainable systems within society and actively develops solutions. These solutions aim to maximize benefits and minimize harm for all people, animals, and the environment.

Weil distinguishes solutionaries from humanitarians and problem-solvers. While humanitarians often focus on alleviating the suffering of people or animals, and problem-solvers may not always address the root causes of issues, solutionaries focus on transforming the systems that contribute to the problems. These problems can manifest at local, regional, or global scales.

The Core Elements of Humane Education

Over the years, the IHE has refined its recommendations for humane education. Initially, the focus was on fostering curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking among students. The organization also emphasized the importance of developing reverence, respect, and responsibility. More recently, the IHE has outlined key areas that humane educators should focus on:

Acquiring Knowledge: Students should become enthusiastic and effective researchers, capable of obtaining accurate information about interconnected local and global challenges.
Discerning Facts: Learners should learn to distinguish facts from opinions and conjecture, developing critical, strategic, and creative thinking skills.
Making Compassionate Choices: Fostering a sense of wonder and appreciation for the natural world helps students develop empathy for living beings, including people and animals, guiding them toward compassionate and responsible choices.
Committing to Doing Good: Students should focus on solutions, engaging collaboratively in problem-solving and implementing ideas, while also assessing and improving upon them as needed.

Integrating Humane Education into the Curriculum

Incorporating humane education into the curriculum can begin with a single curriculum standard in a specific subject area. Starting with a topic that the educator is passionate about can help spark enthusiasm among learners. The topic can relate to human beings, animals, or the environment. More complex issues, such as animal cruelty or social change, can be introduced later.

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Educators can brainstorm ideas within their area of interest and share them with their students. The class can focus on a single endeavor, or students can break into groups to explore sub-areas based on their interests. It's important to ensure that the topic is age-appropriate, teaching learners about local or global problems in a way that is relatable and promotes empathy, respect, and a sense of hope and empowerment.

Leveraging Resources

When incorporating humane education, it's beneficial to utilize resources from the IHE or other established organizations. These resources can help teach students about the definition and components of humane education, providing materials and ideas that promote social responsibility and ways to positively affect the natural world.

Extending learning beyond the classroom can be achieved through after-school programs such as clubs focused on the earth, animals, or humans. School and public librarians can also provide valuable resources by recommending books and other materials on various topics related to animals, humans, and the environment.

When selecting a humane education topic and project, it is important to be aware and informed about students’ lives. Educators should strive to include all students and maintain their dignity.

Humane Education in Practice

Humane education offers an intersectional lens applicable to any field. While teachers and college professors can integrate humane education into classrooms and curricula, it can also be practiced in various other arenas, including:

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The arts, filmmaking, and technology
Policymaking
Advocacy and activism
Outreach education for non-profit organizations and companies
Healthcare and social service initiatives
Curriculum design, professional development, and educational leadership
Public speaking
Social entrepreneurship
Community outreach and organizing
Programs for youth outside of school systems
Adult education
Coaching

The Institute for Humane Education (IHE): Programs and Resources

The Institute for Humane Education (IHE) offers graduate programs, professional learning opportunities, and resources for educators and changemakers seeking to create a more just, sustainable, and humane future. IHE operates on the principle that education is the key to transforming societal systems.

IHE's mission is to educate people to create a world in which all humans, animals, and nature can thrive. The organization values evidence-based optimism and provides a Solutionary Framework for building a just, healthy, and humane future.

Programs and Resources Offered by IHE

Resources for Educators: IHE provides free resources, including the Solutionary Guidebook, lesson and unit plans, and exemplar solutionary modules.
Professional Development: The online Solutionary Micro-Credential supports educators, teacher cohorts, and schools in developing solutionary curriculum in their communities.
Graduate Programs: In partnership with Antioch University, IHE offers M.A., M.Ed., Ed.D, and graduate certificate programs that prepare people to be leaders in humane education.

Graduate Programs in Detail

The online graduate programs in humane education are designed for individuals seeking to become solutionaries and create positive change in the world. The curriculum covers interconnected issues affecting people, animals, and the environment, employing an intersectional, solutionary approach.

Foundational Courses:

Introduction to Humane Education
Environmental Ethics
Animal Protection
Human Rights
Culture & Change
Building a Solutionary Practice and Pedagogy

Elective Courses:

Writing for Social Change
Creative Activism
Just Good Food
Race, Intersectionality, and Veganism
Pronatalism, Overpopulation, and the Planet

Students in the master’s programs complete an individualized practicum and capstone project. Doctoral students apply their learning to their research and dissertation process.

The online graduate program experience includes rigorous coursework, a strong emphasis on community, strategies for educating about environmental, animal, and social justice, and a focus on becoming solutionaries.

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Antioch University New England (AUNE) Education Programs

Antioch University New England (AUNE) Education Programs emphasize colleagueship and strong learning communities. AUNE offers a discount for multiple students from the same school or district attending their MEd or Certificate programs simultaneously.

Applicants to AUNE programs typically need to submit letters of recommendation and may be invited to interview with a faculty member. Financial aid options are available to help students finance their education.

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