AVMA News

World Veterinary Day 2023 promotes diversity, equity, inclusion

The well-being of all veterinarians is enhanced when diversity, equity, and inclusion are
promoted and applied, according to the announcement for World Veterinary Day 2023. The event falls on April 29 this year, and the theme is “Promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusiveness in the Veterinary Profession.”

The World Veterinary Association created World Veterinary Day in 2000 as an annual celebration of the veterinary profession, taking place on the last Saturday of April. Since 2019, the WVA has partnered with Health for Animals, the global animal health industry association, on the World Veterinary Day Award, which honors one WVA member’s activities related to the theme.

World Veterinary Day logo


“Removing barriers and improving inclusiveness through diversity, equity, and inclusion
policies and practices in a diverse world needs a special focus in all areas,” according to this year’s award announcement.

The announcement continues, “Embracing the differences means respecting and recognizing everyone, feeling safe, heard, and valued no matter the age, class, ethnicity, gender, health, physical and mental ability, race, sexual orientation, religion, physical size, education level, job level and function, personality traits, or other differences.”

The WVA and Health for Animals will confer the World Veterinary Day Award and $5,000 to the WVA member that best promotes the annual theme. Get details about World Veterinary Day 2023 and the World Veterinary Day Award.

The AVMA provides resources on diversity, equity, and inclusion at avma.org/Diversity. Among these resources are the Journey for Teams program for the workplace, created in conjunction with the Veterinary Medical Association Executives.