Leading Change Across a Continent: PAN-LASE’s Roadmap for the Future Growth and Development of Research Animal Science and Ethics Across Africa

The Pan-African Network for Laboratory Animal Science and Ethics (PAN-LASE) pro-vides professional education opportunities for all those involved in the care and use of animals in research across Africa, and supports the development of structures, policies and procedures to facilitate high-quality, humane research involving animals across the continent. To ensure the continued, sustainable growth and development of its activi-ties, PAN-LASE founding members and other key stakeholders convened in Kenya to co-create a forward-thinking Road Map for the organisation. The Road Map includes the following recommendations: creating Africa-centric learn-ing opportunities and resources; changing mind-sets on animal welfare; supporting the development of research animal sciences associations; creating structures, processes and organisations that reflect Africa; engaging with key national and pan-African reg-ulatory organisations and stakeholders; identifying unique selling points for African research involving animals; creating a PAN-LASE Steering Committee. These recommendations will enable the sustainable growth and development of PAN-LASE across Africa by providing solutions that will work for Africa. Our Road Map is also applicable to other animal welfare sectors, other pillars of the One Health Triad, and to other resource constrained countries or regions. A template for interested parties to develop similar activities in their own discipline, country or region.