The global biomedical community came together on 1 July, 2021, for the first-ever 24-hour Be Open about Animal Research Day, co-ordinated by EARA, to raise awareness about research and the use of animals.

With support from over 1,000 biomedical institutions across the world from Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Europe, Oceania to North and South America, the social media campaign (#BOARD21) was viewed more than 5 million times.

85 partner institutions provided case studies, reports and statements, on why the sector should be transparent about animal research, including 27 recorded videos published on YouTube from Belgium, Brazil, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Spain, UK, and the USA.

On Instagram, there were five live streamed Q&A sessions with researchers in Belgium, Greece, The Netherlands, Poland and Portugal answering questions on animal research.

In Spain, there was a live conference to discuss openness, with a presentation from EARA Board member Javier Guillen, Isabel Blanco of SECAL and Lluis Montoliu of COSCE.

And in Brazil, #BOARD21 featured a presentation by EARA communication officer, Ana Barros, at the launch of a new scientific journal, Biological Models Research and Technology.

#BOARD21 co-ordinator, Ana Barros, said: “The success of #BOARD21 around the globe has been amazing, with so many institutions ready to join the conversation about animal research. We’re very grateful to all those who got involved!”