A brief introduction and welcome to the Vegan Party Conference & its goals and remits

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.

This session explores vegan-inclusive education, plant-based catering, and veganism in schools, colleges, and universities.

Laura Chepner, author of ‘An Educator’s Guide for Vegan-Inclusive Teaching’ and Education Officer at The Vegan Society, will share insights on advocating for vegan learners and supporting educators, including a CPD certification.

Orin Cooley – Green, Coordinator for Plant-Based Universities, will discuss the Animal Rising campaign urging universities to adopt 100% plant-based catering.

Michelle St John, founder of VinE (Veganism in Education), will present her initiative supporting educators interested in teaching empathy from a vegan perspective.

Martin Skingley, ProVeg’s Education Manager, will talk about the ‘Canteen to Classroom’ initiative, educating children on food origins, production, health benefits, and environmental impacts.

Natasha Bailey from Animal Aid will highlight their education team’s achievements, including over 550 talks and workshops in UK schools and colleges in 2023 and the Universities Challenged Campaign against animal experimentation.

Takeaways

”The panel aims to inspire transformative change in education by promoting compassion, critical thinking, plant-forward climate action, and vegan perspectives, while highlighting available resources to empower ethical and responsible global citizens.”

Calls to Action

Orin – Sign up to set up a campaign at your university or if not a student, encourage others to do so. They can sign up (or donate) on our website: https://www.plantbaseduniversities.org/join

Martin – Reach out and engage with any primary schools you have a connection too (or not!) and point them in the direction of the Canteen to Classroom resources. Educating children on the impact of their food choices is essential in nurturing future generations that are both health and environmentally conscious.

Michelle – Educators, parents, and like-minded organizations can access VinE’s free classroom resources on ethical veganism, presented as both a religious and non-religious worldview. We are currently seeking educators interested in serving as vegan representatives on Standing Advisory Councils. https://teachvine.org/classroom-resources/re

Natasha – Help us to inform, inspire and empower young people! Apply to become a school speaker: www.animalaid.org.uk/education/request-school-speaker

Laura – If you are, or know someone, vegan and working in education please consider joining The Vegan Society’s Education Network Vegan-Inclusive Education | The Vegan Society

Further Resources

Orin – Folks can get in contact to [email protected] if they’re interested in learning more about a particular topic.

Martin – We care passionately about the food we serve to school children and want them to thrive, nourished by good food they love. Our core programme School Plates supports local authorities, multi-academy trusts, individual school caterers: helping them make small changes to school menus that can have a big impact on our children’s health and the health of the planet too.

Michelle – VinE and the Vegan Organic Network (VON) are working on a school-based educational initiative to deepen children’s understanding of ethical, ecological, and vegan organic growing practices, empowering them to help create a more just, compassionate, and sustainable world. https://teachvine.org/project-area/sustainability-from-a-vegan-perspective

Natasha – Help us reach even more young people! If you are a teacher, book a school talk or if you are a parent, encourage your child’s teacher to book one: www.animalaid.org.uk/education/request-school-speaker

Laura – Spread the news about our free CPD accredited school training CPD Accredited Training Enquiry Form | The Vegan Society

Vegan businesses are the economic engine of the movement and many vegan entrepreneurs have made a huge impact for veganism and animal rights. Some others, however, don’t make the impact they set out to make. In a discussion led by David Pannell, founder of Vegan Business Tribe, we ask how we can support vegan businesses to make a bigger impact, and how we can encourage more vegans use their businesses (or professional skills) as their form of activism.

Takeaways

”We ask how we can support vegan businesses to make a bigger impact, and how we can encourage more vegans use their professional skills as their form of activism.”

Calls To Action

Join the vegan business revolution and get help and support at www.veganbusinesstribe.com

Further Resources

David Pannell, Vegan Business Tribe – www.veganbusinesstribe.com

Matthew Glover, Veganuary, VegCapital, VFC – www.veganuary.com, www.vegcapital.co.uk, www.vfcfoods.com

Keith Lesser, Vegan Accountants – www.veganaccountants.co.uk

Mitali Deypurkaystha, The Vegan Publisher – www.theveganpublisher.com

Daisy Botha, Vegan Fairs – www.veganfairs.co.uk

Veganism is protected under the European Convention on Human Rights and is recognised as a protected characteristic under British equality law. However, the application of these protections in day-to-day life, especially in educational settings, remains inconsistent. In this insightful talk, Laura Chepner, Education Officer at The Vegan Society and Chair of the Education Network, will delve into how these legal rights can be leveraged to foster a culture of genuine inclusion for vegans.

Laura’s talk will highlight how, despite legal protections, vegan learners and their families continue to experience discrimination, both directly and indirectly, within schools and educational institutions. Drawing on her own lived experiences, as well as real-life queries and complaints from vegan parents, guardians, and learners, she will outline the practical challenges they face and the strategies used to overcome them.

Through her work, Laura and the Education Network have developed comprehensive resources to empower vegan parents and learners while educating teachers and school administrators on their legal obligations. These resources aim to ensure that vegan inclusion becomes an essential practice, aligned with the rights that come with veganism as a protected belief.

In this talk, Laura will demonstrate how she is building on the legal protections for vegans, actively working to normalise a culture of inclusion through education. By turning legal frameworks into everyday practices, her work ensures that schools and educators adhere to the rights of vegan learners, creating a more inclusive and respectful learning environment for all.

Note that this talk replaces the original panel ”The Legal Protection of Vegans and Normalizing Vegan Inclusion” which has been unavoidably cancelled at short notice

Living wild, but far from free, wildlife is continually persecuted. Labour’s election manifesto promised action for wild animals – to end the badger cull and ban snares. The panel will discuss these campaigns and how we ensure they stick to their promises.

We will also explore the campaign against shooting birds, and why being an environmentalist is an animal rights issue – the planet we live on is not ours, but one we share.

Takeaways

”Inform about latest campaign developments and action on legislative change to ban snares, and end the badger cull. Plus raise awareness of sport shooting and address how we can live alongside wildlife”

Calls to Action

foxproject.org.uk
animalaid.org.uk/get-involved/take-action
www.league.org.uk

Further Resources

foxproject.org.uk
animalaid.org.uk/the-issues/our-campaigns/snares/
animalaid.org.uk/the-issues/our-campaigns/shooting/take-action-game-birds/
https://www.league.org.uk/what-we-do/wales-campaigns/
league.org.uk/what-we-do/shooting/

This dynamic panel discussion will delve into the unique position of health professionals as key changemakers in the vegan movement. Despite facing industry biases and conventional health narratives, we will explore effective strategies that break through barriers, turning health practitioners into powerful proponents of plant-based and vegan living.

This will include highlighting opportunities within easy reach by sharing inspiring examples of vegan advocacy reshaping clinical practice, improving patient outcomes and aligning with holistic health goals.

Takeaways

”Healthcare professionals can be key change makers in the vegan movement by normalising plant-based eating and openly discussing the broader princlples of veganism.”

Calls To Action

Share the Plant-Based Health Professionals UK website and resources with friends, colleagues and family members. Take to your healthcare provider and team about our work.

Resources

Plants First Healthcare campaign plantsfirsthealthcare.com
Plant-Based Health Professionals UK plantbasedhealthprofessionals.com

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

Join us as we gather to celebrate in style with quality vegan cake to mark the occasion of the The Vegan Society reaching 80, Viva! reaching 30, Vegan Runners UK reaching 20,Animal Justice Project reaching 10 and Veganuary reaching 10.

Join us for an insightful panel discussion delving into the hidden trauma animals suffer at the
hands of the animal entertainment industries.

Laura from Freedom for Animals, Molly from PETA and Michelle from Animal Rising, will join
together to discuss the harsh conditions and unethical practices of zoos, marine parks, and the
horse racing industry, to shed light on the animal exploitation that occurs within these industries,
and what we can do to help animals who are so cruelly affected by them.

The panel will examine the ethical issues surrounding animal captivity and the physical and
psychological impacts on animals used for public entertainment. From the restrictive enclosures
and forced performances in zoos and marine parks, to the dangerous and gruelling conditions of
horse racing, we will discuss the devastating realities these animals face daily, and how close
we are to making them a thing of the past.

The ultimate aim of this discussion is to raise awareness, challenge perceptions, and inspire
action, so we can’t wait to see you there! Together, as a movement, we can effectively help
animals and fight for their freedom.

Takeaways

”To highlight the core ways in which animals are used in the entertainment industries, how our collective work can end animal suffering, and why it should be a focus in the AR movement.”

Calls to Action

Protest your local zoo or circus – join the Freedom for Animals workshop on Sunday to find out more!
Head to the Freedom for Animals website to take action against zoos and aquariums today! https://www.freedomforanimals.org.uk/Pages/Category/take-action
Take action against the horse racing industry by following Animal Rising’s work on the issue! https://www.animalrising.org/
Join PETA and their campaign to get TUI to drop selling tickets for cruel marine parks abroad! https://secure.peta.org.uk/page/31471/action/1
Read and share the new Freedom for Animals report into the suffering of animals used in UK circuses, called ‘Lives Left Behind’! https://www.freedomforanimals.org.uk/action-lives-left-behind

Further Resources

PETA UK blog on their campaign to get TUI to cease the selling of orca exploitation: https://www.peta.org.uk/blog/tui/
Animal Rising Horse Racing Summary: https://www.animalrising.org/post/horse-racing-a-summary-from-animal-rising
Freedom for Animals website which has detailed information on the many ways in which animals are used in zoos, aquariums, mobile zoos and circuses: https://www.freedomforanimals.org.uk/
Freedom for Animals aquarium report, A Study of the Conservation Status of
Species Held in British Aquariums: https://www.freedomforanimals.org.uk/aquariums-and-conservation-in-great-britain
PETA UK marine parks campaign work in focus: https://tinyurl.com/395znmbr

‘How can we accelerate a shift to plant based food systems’ is the burning question for our panelists, along with ways that the movement can help with this shift.

Join, follow or donate to Plant-Based Universities via the website at www.plantbaseduniversities.org/

This panel will provide an overview of the current situation regarding animal experiments in Great Britain and globally. Looking to a future without animal experiments, the panel will discuss the different areas where animals are experimented upon and look at the ‘alternatives‘ (non-animal new approach methodologies – NAMs), the possible barriers to NAMs use and a future without animal experiments.

 The four panellists all have many years of experience and knowledge of this important area of animal harm and exploitation and will each bring a unique perspective on this topic. Please join us as we discuss how we can truly ‘bring an end to animal testing’ with your support.

Following the panel, at 1.45 there will be a short update from Camp Beagle, with Sole Iriart.

Takeaways

”To look at the issue of animal experiments, from multiple viewpoints, to expedite an end to ALL animal experiments”

Calls to Action

Animal Aid: Contact your MP about lethal dose animal tests: https://www.animalaid.org.uk/get-involved/take-action/

Tom Harris: For people to follow, and engage with the MBR Suppliers campaign.

Further Resources

Find out more about how you can help Animal Aid: https://www.animalaid.org.uk/the-issues/can-i-help/

A look at language in vegan outreach and animal rights advocacy with  some evidence based conclusions and suggestions about this hotly debated topic

Takeaways

”Language shapes how people perceive an issue. By harnessing the power of language, we can reshape humans’ relationships with fellow animals, create more impactful campaigns, and become more effective advocates.”

Calls to Action

1. Download Animal Think Tank’s Narrative Architecture for Animal Freedom, which includes a one-page infographic and full messaging guide (https://animalthintank.zapier.app/narrative-architecture)

2. Register for Animal Think Tank’s next webinar on why some animal freedom messaging doesn’t work, and how we can communicate more effectively as animal advocates (https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0sd-CoqTMrHddMlSdPVUI9wOcSTq_QOi9H#/registration)

3. Join a We The Free team near you and connect with a diverse community: (https://www.activism.wtf/getinvolved#team)

4. Join We The Free’s monthly, live Effective Advocacy Workshops for Inspiring Behaviour Change in Others (https://www.activism.wtf/training)

5. Subscribe to The Animal Rights Show on YouTube, co-hosted by Wendy McGovern (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwKCH_ItjqELgL3NE35hj70YazgZBHfZB)

Further Resources

1. Sign up to Animal Think Tank’s Narrative Newsletter (https://animalthinktank.us14.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=2c01c53dfef4ab376ea48aad8&id=7a1f084cbe)

2. Read about why Animal Think Tank thinks Narrative Change is so important (https://animalthinktank.org.uk/narrative/)

3. Read Animal Think Tank’s Narrative Research reports (https://animalthinktank.org.uk/narrative/narrative-research/)

4. Sign up to We The Free’s newsletter (https://www.activism.wtf/getinvolved#newsletter)

5. Read the book Animal Equality: Language and Liberation by Joan Dunayer (https://www.waterstones.com/book/animal-equality/joan-dunayer/carol-j-adams/9780970647559)

The panel features grassroots vegan street activists discussing outreach, training, effectiveness,

social aspects and how to get involved

Takeaways

”Effective street outreach involves aligning our values with communication, embracing vulnerability, and utilizing empathy and storytelling to create constructive and engaging connections, while respecting the seriousness of animal exploitation.”

Calls to Action

1) Join the newsletter to stay connected and keep up to date with projects, past present and future: www.activism.wtf/getinvolved#newsletter

2) Join a team near you and connect with a diverse community: www.activism.wtf/getinvolved#team

3) Brave it and try yourself in the role of a leader: www.activism.wtf/roles/eventorganizer

4) Join our monthly, live Effective Advocacy Workshops – Inspiring Behaviour Change in Others – www.activism.wtf/training

5) Track your impact by measuring your inspiration rate using WTF MyStats:
www.activism.wtf/getinvolved#mystats

Get involved in outreach with Viva!: https://viva.org.uk/viva-volunteer-community/outreach-hosts-and-supporters/
For outreach training events on zoom, contact: [email protected]

Further Resources

1) Three movies you will never forget (We The Free resources website that is fully customisable to suit your campaign using MyStats – shared with the public during events) www.3movies.wtf

2) Revolutionising our advocacy and invite the public to take part in 3 Minute Movie Challenge online at www.3minutes.wtf

Viva outreach guide: https://cdn.viva.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Viva-Outreach-guide.pdf

Learn about Viva campaigns: https://viva.org.uk/campaigns/

Recent surveys amongst vegan activists suggests the movement is currently spilt down the middle on this contentious topic – should human rights be a part of animal rights, or should we be an ‘animals only’ movement? This constructive supportive panel looks at different viewpoints, with a view to seeking learning outcomes and understanding different positions, and increasing the peace.

Takeaways

” This panel will explore the intersection of animal and human rights, addressing how to prioritize animal liberation while ensuring safety, resolving conflicts, and balancing inclusivity.” – Jen Deighan – Schenk

”To find unity between 2 sides of this issue while acknowledging some of the complications of some of the more ambitious and well-meaning goals of intersectional activists” – David Ramms

Calls to Action

Train ourselves to be more understanding of one another and differing opinions – https://infighting.org

David Ramms – Subscribe to my YouTube: www.youtube.com/davidramms
Follow me on Instagram: www.instagram.com/davidramms
I will be having more of these discussions on my Substack: www.davidramms.substack.com

Join us for an inspiring panel discussion where you’ll hear from seasoned vegan leaders and activists as they share their journeys to the forefront of the movement. Discover the qualities of a great leader, how to identify and cultivate your leadership skills, overcome challenges, inspire change and build a stronger vegan community.

Whether you’re a seasoned campaigner or just starting out, this panel is your chance to connect with like-minded individuals and become equipped with practical advice on developing your leadership skills and gaining the tools to become a powerful voice for animals and the planet.