Summer conference madness
Submitted by An Animal-Friendly Life
It seems like there are a lot of conferences related to animal activism these days. A person could spend all year going from one to another (not that I recommend it).
I’ve been to FARM’s national AR conference twice now, and I’m returning again this summer, from August 14th-18th. I’ve found the conferences useful primarily as a venue for networking, sharing and debating viewpoints, and for checking out new vegan products offered by the various vendors exhibiting at the event. I’ve certainly learned a few new things and met lots of great people, and I was able to hone my speaking skills last year.
I like that FARM’s conferences are fairly open to various viewpoints, unlike some put together other organizations. In fact, I was asked to submit talks to one upcoming conference, but ultimately had to cancel my participation because it was made clear that an important talk I wanted to give would not be approved because it promoted a “view of activism which is at odds with the approach taken by [the group behind the conference].” I’m not going to link or otherwise discuss the conference further, nor do I intend to highlight a conference that, last year, was attended by Niman Ranch, a company that trafficks in animals.
I do want to list a couple of conferences that a few people I know are involved with. I don’t actually endorse any of the conferences I am featuring, even the AR conference linked through the banner at the top of this site right now. The information is provided on behalf of friends organizing these conferences, and because you may find these to be useful opportunities for networking with activists and hearing other opinions from those involved in animal activism.
The Animal Liberation Conference in Olympia, WA, is coming up soonest, from May 10th and 11th, from 10am-6pm. It’s being hosted by Evergreen Animal Rights Network and Olympia Animal Rights. There’s not much information at the site, and the links are broken here and there, but take a look. The cost to attend is $5-20, sliding scale. The conference description is promising:
The aim of this conference is to provide an opportunity for activists to network, build alliances, and discuss how to further the goals of the movement. This conference is designed for people who have already accepted the premise of animal rights and are ready to take the next step. Although we don’t presume to know what this next step should be, we hope that this conference will produce constructive results.
That’s about all I know of it, though. You can contact the organizers through the website.
Also in the Northwest, Let Live NW Animal Rights Conference will take place at Portland State University in Portland, OR, June 27th-June 29th. Registration is a suggested donation of $10. The conference is being organized by Vegans for Animal Advocacy, with support from No Compromise, Herbivore Magazine, and Food Fight Grocery. Visit the website to learn more, but here’s the description:
Animals belong to themselves, not to us. They should not suffer in our systems of food, science, entertainment and fashion. Instead, they should live free of the tyranny we put upon them. But they cannot claim this freedom alone. “Let Live” is a grassroots forum for people who want to help. Through an open, respectful, and friendly environment this conference will provide an opportunity for attendees to learn skills and strategies to become better advocates for the animals, no matter ones experience level in activism.
This conference is for first-timers, experienced activists, and anybody in between who hopes to make a real difference for animals and build a stronger, more effective community and animal liberation movement. This conference is for anybody who wants to live and let live.
If you attend either of these conferences, I’d love to hear from you! Please reply below or email me.
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