From Radical Roots to Collective Power: Reclaiming the Future of the Animal Freedom Movement

The Animal Freedom movement is more than a cause—it’s a trans-generational legacy that calls for a deep understanding of our past to shape a future where transformative change for our animal kin is possible. What started as a vibrant and radical force, fuelled by diverse voices from both the mainstream and other social justice movements, has, to some, lost its edge, becoming more corporate and less true to its roots.

This keynote will draw on our rich history to share inspiring stories and offer critical reflections on our current state. It will call for a return to a grassroots, volunteer-led movement, emphasising the need to build our personal and collective power, and focus on a bold vision for systemic change. It will offer key ingredients for success, distilled from our past and that of other social movements.

This talk will highlight the significant opportunities the next 5 years offer us if each one of us can step into our power, collaborate, and most importantly believe that together we can create the transformative change fellow animals so urgently need.

Moving Beyond the Welfare Paradigm

This panel takes a look at how we can move beyond the current welfare paradigm, established for over 200 years in the UK, and see fundamental rights for animals established, in the quest for ultimate animal liberation, whilst avoiding splits and unhealthy disagreements between different sections of the animal protection movement. Framing welfare reforms as Inside/Outside campaign strategy, alongside simple rights and fundamentals rights, the panel explores in some detail how our movement can achieve this vital shift for animals beyond the current welfare paradigm