saturday timetable - animal activists forum€¦ · saturday timetable time room 1 room 2 room 3...

2018 | ANIMAL ACTIVISTS FORUM

SATURDAY TIMETABLE

TIME ROOM 1 ROOM 2 ROOM 3

8:30am Registration

9:00am Introduction & welcome

9:30am All groups reviews

10:00am Kimberley OxleyANIMALS AUSTRALIA

10 ways to leverage social media to help animals

Sarah MargoVOICELESS, THE ANIMAL

PROTECTION INSTITUTE

Critical thinking in schools: what youth need to learn about fish, chimpanzees

and factory farmed animals

Senator Mehreen FaruqiAUSTRALIAN GREENS SENATOR AND

ANIMAL WELFARE SPOKESPERSON

Creating change for animals

11:00am Break

11:30am Joanne LeeANIMAL LIBERATION ACTIVIST

Inspiring, motivating and mobilising activists through effective leadership

Katrina FoxVEGAN BUSINESS MEDIA

Vegans in the limelight: How to attract positive media coverage on animal rights

Douglas LeithAnimal experimentation: Humans

are still not mice or monkeys! ...the public remains unsure

12:30pm Clare MannVEGAN PSYCHOLOGIST

Tools for creating a vegan utopia

Dr Anthony Hadj.MBBS BMEDSC DCH RSM.GENERAL

PRACTITIONERCREATOR OF

LIVINGLONGERTODAY.COM

An activist’s guide to plant based health

Tammy FryTHE FRY FAMILY FOOD COMPANY

The 12 habits of highly successful animal activists

1:30pm Break

2:15pm Ruby RothThe transformative power of veganism

(SKYPE)

Georgie PurcellOSCAR’S LAW

Strategise and win: The importance of having a campaign

and communications strategy

Mick McIntyreINDIEVILLAGE

Get your message in the mainstream

3:00pm Matthew PeterAUSSIE FARMS

Be an undercover investigator & Dominion movement update

Elio CelottoCOALITION FOR THE PROTECTION

OF RACEHORSES

Focus, strategy and forward planning - the key to a successful campaign & The untold story behind horseracing

Amy KiddANIMALS AUSTRALIA

How the meat section can save animals: The changing nature of ‘meat’ and the implications for animals and activists

3:45pm Break

4:15pm Rich HardyVEGANUARY

300,000 vegan pledges (SKYPE)

Dilan FernandoRoadmap to liberation: what it means

and how we’re going to get there

Scott WallaceTowards Earth-centred culture

- Understanding the system

5:30pm Event finish – please vacate building by 6:00pm

2018 | ANIMAL ACTIVISTS FORUM

SUNDAY TIMETABLE

TIME ROOM 1 ROOM 2 ROOM 3

8:30am Registration

9:00am Introduction & welcome

9:30am All groups reviews

10:00am Julianne PerryDIRECT ACTION EVERYWHERE (DXE)

Open Rescue: The effectiveness and importance of the tactic in the animal

rights movement (SKYPE)

Kelly NelderSUGARSHINE FARM SANCTUARY

“Help I accidentally started a feminist farm animal sanctuary“

Gabi OpenshawANIMAL LIBERATION NSW

Greyhound racing: Staying on-track through a rollercoaster of events

11:00am Break

11:30am Dr Ash NayateThe war against apathy, ignorance, and

speciesism: Strengthening our brain for better activism and advocacy

Dr Tessa CardenTHE WORLD LEAGUE FOR

PROTECTION OF ANIMALS

Not respecting animals - A fundamental error of mankind. The

reasons. How animal advocacy can counteract speciesism

Harley McDonald-EckersallYOUNG VOICES FOR ANIMALS

Young blood: Empowering the future of the animal rights movement

12:30pm Emily Moran BarwickBITE SIZE VEGAN

Watching what we say: Effective activism through mindful language

(SKYPE)

Tara Ward and Mike RosalkyANIMAL DEFENDERS OFFICE

Laws that affect animal activists

Emma HurstANIMAL JUSTICE PARTY

Why animal politics matters

1:30pm Break

2:15pm Isy VeiraLEGION DX SYDNEY

[F.E.A.R] Face.Everything.And.Rise: The role of Direct Action

in the AR movement

Jesse MarksANIMALS AUSTRALIA

5 ideas to accelerate change for animals

Brian Hallmond@VEGAN LIFE CHANGE

The power of standing out

3:00pm Sam TuckerVEGAN OUTREACH

The power of a leaflet: University outreach, virtual reality and beyond

Matt StellinoANONYMOUS FOR THE

VOICELESS SYDNEY

Effective conversation and questioning techniques

Alex VinceANIMAL LIBERATION NSW

WTF does welfare mean? Using our words to change the world

3:45pm Break

4:15pm Sebastiaan WolswinkelPINKPOLITIEK (“YOUTH OF THE

PARTY FOR THE ANIMALS”)

Transforming democracy for the sake of systematic change

– animal rights in politics

Lissy JayneAUSSIE FARMS AND BEAR

WITNESS AUSTRALIA

Lessons learnt from being an investigator

Zacchary BirdAcai bowl activism: Food and

social media in veganism

5:00pm Wrap-up meeting

5:30pm Event finish – please vacate building by 6:00pm

Saturday SpeakerS | ANIMAL ACTIVISTS FORUM

10:00AM, ROOM 1

Kimberley OxleyANIMALS AUSTRALIA

10 ways to leverage social media to help animals

Summary: Social media playing is playing an ever-increasingly important role in people’s lives. In this light-hearted and informative session, we’ll run through some of the ways that social media platforms can be harnessed to influence real change for animals.

Biography: Kimberley has been involved in animal rights for more than twenty years and has worked in various capacities for a number of different organisations over that time. She has been managing Animals Australia’s social channels since 2013 and in that time has overseen the growth of the Facebook page from 60,000 to more than 1.6 million followers. Kimberley is passionate about harnessing social media to empower, inform and unite like-minded people from every corner of the globe.

10:00AM, ROOM 3

Senator Mehreen FaruqiAUSTRALIAN GREENS SENATOR AND

ANIMAL WELFARE SPOKESPERSON

Creating change for animals

Summary: Animal welfare has never had a higher profile in Australia. But how do we create change to ensure animals are treated as sentient beings? Dr Faruqi will discuss lessons learnt and tools from her time in NSW Parliament as well as the Senate on how to keep animals on the agenda, including through the media, freedom of information, communication with whistle blowers and utilising social media.

Biography: Senator Mehreen Faruqi is the Australian Greens Animal Welfare Spokesperson. Prior to this, she was a member of NSW Legislative Council for five years. Dr Faruqi is well known for her consistent campaign of exposing the greyhound racing industry as well as stopping live exports and factory farming.

10:00AM, ROOM 2

Sarah MargoVOICELESS, THE ANIMAL

PROTECTION INSTITUTE

Critical thinking in schools: what youth need to learn about fish, chimpanzees and factory farmed animals

Summary: Through the power of education, we can ensure a better future for all animals. Last year, Voiceless began creating curriculum-aligned materials for Australian classrooms, to encourage youth to think critically about our relationship with nonhuman animals. In this presentation, we’ll talk about why we need to focus on youth education, the importance of getting your facts right, and the challenges faced in trying to encourage the next generation to understand and care about animal protection issues. The presentation will take a closer look at three areas we are currently working on, giving you the facts, latest developments and tips for how to engage others on the topics of fish sentience, legal personhood for nonhuman animals and factory farming.

Biography: Sarah Margo is Legal Counsel at Voiceless, the animal protection institute, where she has worked in policy reform, campaigns, research and education for several years, with a primary focus on factory farmed animals and kangaroos. Sarah recently took on an additional role as Animal Law and Education Manager, and in this capacity is working to introduce animal protection issues into Australian high school curricula and grow animal law as a subject in universities around the country.


11:30AM, ROOM 1

Joanne LeeANIMAL LIBERATION ACTIVIST

Inspiring, motivating and mobilising activists through effective leadership

Summary: An interactive workshop where we will explore techniques and tools that will enable to you build a powerful, committed and resilient team.

Biography: Joanne Lee has been vegan for 4 years and started her activism journey in January 2017. In September 2017 she co-founded Direct Action Everywhere (DxE) Melbourne and three months later led a team into Australia’s first daylight slaughterhouse shutdown and rescue, where seven lives were liberated. Her activism focuses on civil disobedience; including disruptions, shutdowns, and open rescue. She was part of the infamous Steakhouse Disruption, which received global media attention, and she appeared on The Project and 3AW. With the recent disbandment of DxE Melbourne, Joanne has begun collaborating with like-minded activists, focussing on large-scale, hard hitting actions. Her passion is inspiring vegans to get active.

11:30AM, ROOM 2

Katrina FoxVEGAN BUSINESS MEDIA

Vegans in the limelight: How to attract positive media coverage on animal rights

Summary: Getting stories about animal rights into mainstream media not only educates more people about the issues, it can also help to encourage politicians, law makers and businesses to shift their perspectives and potentially make ground breaking changes to how non-human animals are treated. But journalists aren’t always on your side and there’s a risk you’ll be portrayed as weird or extreme. Knowing how to communicate with the media before, during and after a campaign or action increases your chances of best getting across your message and the important issues you want to convey. This talk will show you how to do this well.

Biography: Katrina Fox is an award-winning journalist, PR consultant, founder of VeganBusinessMedia.com, host of Vegan Business Talk podcast and author of Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business, the first global book providing success strategies for aspiring and existing vegan business owners. She has written extensively for niche and mainstream media for 17 years on animal advocacy and ethical business and is a regular Forbes contributor specialising in writing about vegan and plant-based businesses. Katrina teaches vegan business owners and animal rights advocates how to maximise their opportunities to get free publicity via earned media coverage.

11:30AM, ROOM 3

Douglas LeithAnimal experimentation: Humans are still not mice or monkeys! ...the public remains unsure

Summary: Despite separating from mice 65 million years ago and other primates 6 million, human medicine continues to be based on other species. We all agree that even if vivisection did save or benefit humans we would still not accept it as we have no right to do this to animals. The evidence is on our side. The consequence of vivisection is consistent failure to cure human disease or to accurately test the effects of any novel substance. Historical and present pro-vivisection claims will be considered and disproved, valid methods shown and the question “How can we get this information to the public?” discussed.

Biography: Douglas Leith has been involved in animal issues from promoting veganism to saving ducks to demonstrations for over 25 years and vivisection (animal experimentation) has been his primary focus. Since becoming aware of the terrible cruelty and later the non-predictiveness of animal research for humans and its counter productivity historically and presently, as well as the enormous animal welfare implications, he has presented information in this regard at the Animal Activists Forum, Cruelty Free Festival, World Vegan Day, Institute for Critical Animal Studies (Oceania), World Event to End Animal Cruelty (Melbourne) and at MacQuarie and Sydney Universities.


12:30PM, ROOM 3

Tammy FryTHE FRY FAMILY FOOD COMPANY

The 12 habits of highly successful animal activists

Summary: Success comes from consistency in mindset, behaviour and action. We see this play out in business all the time and it can apply equally when it comes to advocating for animals. In this talk, Tammy Fry will highlight research from other industries and show how to apply it to animal activism. This includes viewing veganism as a ‘brand’, how to promote it, how to get brand loyalty, and the advocacy funnel, plus some inspiration for vegan advocates and animal rights activists.

Biography: Tammy Fry is the international marketing director of The Fry Family Food Company and a health and wellness advocate. An avid crossfitter, 5th dan karateka and many times South African national champion, self-defence coach, surfer, business woman, public speaker, and mum of two young boys, Tammy embodies health and wellness. A born vegetarian (who soon became vegan), she was responsible for her father Wally Fry’s transition from a livestock agent to creator of a global vegan food products business. Tammy collaborates regularly with animal advocacy organisations to provide sponsorship and support.

12:30PM, ROOM 1

Clare MannVEGAN PSYCHOLOGIST

Tools for creating a vegan utopia

Summary: Despite animal activists having so much in common, we regularly see breakdowns in communication and trust, competition and disagreements, with resultant in-fighting and disillusionment. This leads to greater Vystopia as vegans believe these groups offer enormous opportunity, but resultant conflict causes them more anguish and despair that a vegan world is ever possible. Understanding the psychology of group dynamics, improving group communication and creating superordinate goals, is essential for harmonious and productive group-working. With essential principles in place, outcomes are enhanced, and satisfaction increased, together with the renewed belief in a totally vegan world.

Biography: Clare Mann is a psychologist, existential psychotherapist, author, and communications trainer. She runs a part-time private vegan psychology practice in Sydney and is the author of numerous books, including Vystopia: The Anguish of Being Vegan in a Non-Vegan World (2018). Clare co- founded the Vegan Voices Smartphone App, is co-contributor to the Sydney Vegan Club 30- Day Vegan Challenge, and contributor to the books Plant Powered Women and Everyday Vegans. She is the Editor in Chief of the digital business magazine Ethical Futures: Conversations that Matter, which promotes businesses that are profitable and successful, without abusing people, the environment or animals.

12:30PM, ROOM 2

Dr Anthony Hadj.MBBS BMEDSC DCH RSM.

GENERAL PRACTITIONER

CREATOR OF

LIVINGLONGERTODAY.COM

An activist’s guide to plant based health

Summary: As activists, I imagine that many of you are faced with health queries and questions. This presentation will seek to explain and help you understand, some of the core relationships between animal products and disease. It will delve into specific studies (which you can reference in future discussions) and clearly help you to understand the science behind the cause of cardiovascular disease and renal disease (animal protein vs plant protein).

Biography: Dr Hadj is a Plant Based GP based in Melbourne who uses his knowledge of nutrition to help his patients heal some of the most common chronic diseases in our society. He has a passion for seeing patients restore their sense of physical and mental wellbeing through healthy eating. He is committed to educating as many people as possible and has established a website called www.livinglongertoday.com which is free; and, provides information and videos about a whole food plant-based diet. He is a regular contributor to the UK based Plant Based News, Australian Vegan Kid’s Magazine and is a volunteer with Edgar’s Mission. He has spoken about Plant Based health to audiences at Parliament House and around the capital cities of Australia.


2:15PM, ROOM 2

Georgie PurcellOSCAR’S LAW

Strategise and win: The importance of having a campaign and communications strategy

Summary: In 2014, the Victorian Labor Government made a commitment to end puppy factories and the sale of puppies and kittens in pet shops. But it didn’t just coincidentally happen, and it took three years to finally pass as law. This presentation looks at what went on behind the scenes in the communications strategy (both digital and traditional) for one of the most prominent pieces of animal welfare legislation to pass a parliament in decades. From it you will gain tips and skills to help shape public opinion, and lobby politicians in support of your cause.

Biography: Georgie Purcell is a communications professional working in unionism and workers’ rights with a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Public Relations/Communications from Deakin University.. She volunteers her skills to animal protection campaigns and has been the Vice President and Communications Manager of Oscar’s Law since 2015. Georgie also provides communications advice to other animal protection campaigns, including on the wetlands during the opening weekend of the Victorian duck shooting season. Recently, she ran the media strategy for the Dominion March in Melbourne, which was attended by over 3,000 activists.

2:15PM, ROOM 1

Ruby RothThe transformative power of veganism

Summary: In this one-of-a-kind lecture, Ruby Roth shares her personal and professional journey as an example of the transformative power of veganism. Exploring the media response to her controversial children’s books, Ruby reveals the invisible forces that shape public thinking about animals, health, and children. Weaving together health and spirituality, food, politics, and popular culture, Ruby connects the dots between our personal choices and the public realm, showing us how changing our diets can change our lives—and the world we live in.

Biography: Ruby Roth is an artist and the world’s leading author and illustrator of vegan and vegetarian books for children. Vegan since 2003, Roth was teaching art at an elementary school when her students’ fascination with her eating habits inspired her to write That’s Why We Don’t Eat Animals in 2009—the first book of its kind in children’s literature. Vegan Is Love, V Is for Vegan, and The Help Yourself Cookbook for Kids followed. Today, Roth’s books have been translated into multiple languages and are available around the world.

2:15PM, ROOM 3

Mick McIntyreINDIEVILLAGE

Get your message in the mainstream

Summary: How do you make an animal rights issue reach a larger audience beyond vegans and activists? Mick will discuss proven marketing strategies to raise awareness in the public arena and how to create engaging ideas for digital and mainstream media than can create traction and conversation.

Biography: Mick was given a super 8mm movie camera when he was 12 years old and has making films since then. He has spent 35 years working in the film industry, starting out as a driver, spent 10 years as an assistant director on feature films before finding his passion making documentaries. He combines his skills as a cinematographer with producing and directing. His films include the award winning film Yogawoman, What to do about Whales and Aussie Rules the World. Mick’s latest film KANGAROO A Love-Hate Story has been described by the New York Times as a “wake-up siren…with extra strength”.


3:00PM, ROOM 1

Matthew PeterAUSSIE FARMS

Be an undercover investigator & Dominion movement update

Summary: » Undercover work the principles » Benefits and risks » Legalities » Different equipment how to use

and benefits of each » Cover stories » Parts of dominion captured through

undercover work » Future of dominion movement

Biography: Assistant Producer - Dominion Director of strategy - Aussie Farms

Having quit his job in pharmaceuticals seven years ago, Matthew started out as crew for Sea Shepherd and managing campaigns for multiple animal rights organisations. He has dedicated over 5 years to animal activism and has worked with Aussie Farms since its beginning. In addition to documenting animal suffering through a lens, he has key strategic roles in the organisation and has managed or contributed to some of the well-known investigations and campaigns for multiple organisations over the years. He now plays an integral part in the future of the Dominion movement and fundraising for future projects.

3:00PM, ROOM 3

Amy KiddANIMALS AUSTRALIA

How the meat section can save animals: The changing nature of ‘meat’ and the implications for animals and activists

Summary: This talk will discuss the implications of vegan products in the meat section, case studies where this has been successful for animals internationally, and why, as animal activists, we should be supporting this. Looking forward, how will clean meat change this space again and what should we be doing and saying about it?

Biography: Amy is an experienced campaigner, working in professional animal advocacy for more than 5 years. Currently, she manages Animals Australia’s plant-based eating campaigns and is passionate about making plant-based food easy and accessible to everyone.

3:00PM, ROOM 2

Elio CelottoCOALITION FOR THE PROTECTION

OF RACEHORSES

Focus, strategy and forward planning - the key to a successful campaign & The untold story behind horseracing

Summary: With so many animal cruelty issues that need our attention and action, it can be overwhelming. All of them are important but how can we be most effective in being a voice for animals? Elio will be talking about the three main attributes that he believes are the most effective in running a successful campaign, Focus, Strategy and Forward Planning. With the Melbourne Spring Carnival in full swing, Elio will also be giving a racehorse’s perspective of the racing industry and an update on CPR’s campaigns.

Biography: Elio has been involved in animal rights for the last 30 years. Having initially focused on factory farming for the first eighteen years with Animal Liberation Victoria, chose a different path after a chance visit to a knackery in 2005 that led to the formation of the Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses. For the last 12 years, his now single focus has been to be an animal advocate for all racehorses before, during and after their racing careers.


4:15PM, ROOM 1

Rich HardyVEGANUARY

300,000 vegan pledges

Summary: An overview of the Veganuary pledge campaign, how it started, what makes it effective and why we’re internationalising it.

Biography: Vegan since childhood, Rich Hardy got into campaigning for farm animals after being dropped by a professional football club. A former campaigner and lobbyist at Compassion in World Farming he then turned to undercover investigation for animals as a route to be a more effective advocate for animals. He worked undercover for animals from 1999 until earlier this year when he took on the campaign management of Veganuary. Rich lives in Cornwall, a small peninsula in the UK exposed to North Atlantic swells, and when not campaigning surfs his local beach break as much as he can, in between caring for the 17 animals he and his girlfriend have rescued from shelters and factory farms. He also runs an investigative storytelling platform on Instagram @notasnatureintended

4:15PM, ROOM 2

Dilan FernandoRoadmap to liberation: what it means and how we’re going to get there

Summary: The Australian animal rights movement is more prominent than ever before. Yet, the movement lacks a clearly defined end goal – what does “animal liberation” actually, practically mean? Only by figuring this out can we turn our momentum into impactful long-term strategies. This interactive workshop encourages attendees to pause and refocus on core elements of social movement strategy. It promises a thoughtful, fun and inspiring space where attendees can explore all the things the animal rights movement could achieve, and what it needs to do to get there.

Biography: Dilan is an animal rights advocate of three years and a marketing professional. Having begun exploring social justice through anti-poverty organisations like Oaktree and Monash SEED, he was introduced to animal rights advocacy when he became active with grassroots groups such as Collectively Free in the USA. Since then, he’s worked on a number of animal rights projects in Melbourne, having founded the Monash Vegan Society, organised the March to Close All Slaughterhouses 2017, and also co-founded Young Voices for Animals, with whom he is currently working to launch Australia’s first Youth Animal Rights Conference, yARC 2018.

4:15PM, ROOM 3

Scott WallaceTowards Earth-centred culture - Understanding the system

Summary: Currently, our western governance systems, laws and culture reflects an anthropocentric and speciesist system of exploitation and use of non-human animals. This diverse presentation will highlight the importance of understanding how these underlying philosophies and ideologies continue to influence and shape the ‘system’. Scott will discuss an emerging ecological theory of law as an alternative paradigm, and the imperative of a top-down approach to advocacy. Scott will also share his experiences and tips as an educator as well as his knowledge and insight obtained through his studies, discuss behaviour change and why there are a lack of campaigns addressing the animal agriculture industry.

Biography: Scott Wallace is a scientist, passionate educator and activist, on a mission to inspire and encourage people to question their relationship with nature, and promote a transformation of culture to one which respects all members of the Earth Community. Scott holds a B.Sc (Hons) from Griffith University, where he is currently studying Law with an interest in earth jurisprudence, environmental law and policy, animal law and advocacy. Scott has been advocating through a focus on presenting/lecturing at schools, events, conferences and universities.

Sunday SpeakerS | ANIMAL ACTIVISTS FORUM

10:00AM, ROOM 3

Gabi OpenshawANIMAL LIBERATION NSW

Greyhound racing: Staying on-track through a rollercoaster of events

Summary: The blood sport and powerful wagering industry that we call greyhound racing has suffered irreparable damage in Australia over the past few years. However, with Mike Baird’s dramatic backflip and several governments declaring commitment to a ‘sustainable industry’, it seems easy to feel defeated. But we shouldn’t feel this way because we have come so far. In fact, it is now illegal to race dogs in the ACT - our nation’s capital! Attend this presentation to learn more about the greyhound racing industry and the types of information that activists can use to inform their anti-racing campaigns. We will explore the ACT campaign in depth and consider strategies for moving the agenda forward in other jurisdictions.

Biography: Gabi Openshaw manages the campaigns for non-farm animals at Animal Liberation. Prior to this, Gabi was a research biologist at the Australian National University. She owns two rescued greyhounds and has been active in the greyhound advocacy and rehoming space across Canberra and NSW for the past five years. Gabi created the primary support group for rescued greyhounds in Canberra (ACT Greyhound Support Network) and successfully lobbied both the RSPCA ACT and ACT politicians to end greyhound racing.

10:00AM, ROOM 1

Julianne PerryDIRECT ACTION EVERYWHERE (DXE)

Open Rescue: The effectiveness and importance of the tactic in the animal rights movement

Summary: For decades, animal rights activists have infiltrated farms and slaughterhouses to expose undercover footage of the abuse animals are forced to endure. In recent years, the tactic has been facing difficulty. Undercover investigators have struggled to get national coverage of these important investigations and the public is increasingly ignoring footage of abuse. Open Rescue is a hybrid tactic of undercover investigations and stories of rescue. By telling the story of redemption of an animal saved from the depths of the hell that is factory farming, the public is forced to face the personhood of animals. By purposefully showing their faces, and choosing strategic targets, investigators on Open Rescue teams make national news with their bold activism. Hear how this tactic is gaining strength and moving the animal right movement forward.

Biography: Julianne is an undercover investigator with the grassroots animal rights network Direct Action Everywhere. She has exposed cruelty in pig, chicken, cow, and dog meat farms. Her team’s work has been covered by ABC News, Mother Jones, and The Intercept. Julianne has an MBA from Dartmouth and works full-time in Silicon Valley while pursuing activism. She has been arrested four times for slaughterhouse sit-ins and currently faces three misdemeanour charges for standing up for animal rights.

10:00AM, ROOM 2

Kelly NelderSUGARSHINE FARM SANCTUARY

“Help I accidentally started a feminist farm animal sanctuary“

Summary: This presentation will outline how Sugarshine FARM Sanctuary started. Kelly will discuss the perils, pitfalls and pleasures of running a farm sanctuary. Tips and advice on how to start your own sanctuary (by someone who did it all wrong) and a discussion on what it means to be a feminist sanctuary.

Biography: Kelly is a vegan, feminist, activist, registered nurse and founder of Sugarshine FARM in NSW. She has participated in piggery lock downs, protests, marches and may or may not have liberated animals from factory farms.


11:30AM, ROOM 1

Dr Ash NayateThe war against apathy, ignorance, and speciesism: Strengthening our brain for better activism and advocacy

Summary: Being an animal activist in a speciesist world means that we face daily the apathy, ignorance, and hostility of others. Like all warriors, we must strengthen ourselves to be at our peak, so that we can be as effective as possible. Our battlefield is not physical; rather, it’s psychological. This means that we must train and fortify our minds to deal effectively with the attitudes of others, and also with our own self-doubt, disillusionment, and despair. In this presentation, Ash will share three key steps in strengthening our brains for healthy, sustainable, and psychologically effective activism.

Biography: Ash is a vegan neuropsychologist, activist, writer, and speaker. She made the shift from meat-eater to vegan overnight after watching the documentary Earthlings in 2008. Ash specialises in helping vegans, activists, and young people improve their mental health and wellbeing. For over a decade she has been working in private practice as well as in major hospitals across Melbourne. Ash initially became vegan for ethical reasons, and quickly became immersed in the mental health benefits of a vegan lifestyle. She is a strong advocate for brain health amongst vegan activists. In 2018 she released her first book on mental health for activists, titled “Staying Positive in a F*cked Up World”.

11:30AM, ROOM 2

Dr Tessa CardenTHE WORLD LEAGUE FOR PROTECTION

OF ANIMALS

Not respecting animals - A fundamental error of mankind. The reasons. How animal advocacy can counteract speciesism

Summary: This presentation sets out to illustrate the incredible connection between the treatment of non-human animals by humans and the entire gamut of ramifications cascading from it, including the immense social and environmental consequences. There are a multitude of factors shaping our attitudes towards non-human animals. They need to be understood first in order to bring about changes. Three major factors will be discussed (conditioning, commodification and biased use of language). The presentation will illustrate the power of non-biased language in order to reflect the reality, build a platform of appreciation of nonhuman species, reverse the lack of imagination about immense animal suffering on one side and the lack of imagination of the vegan world on the other side.

Biography: Tessa Carden (PhD) has been involved with the animal protection movement since 1995: carer of rescued wildlife (WIRES then SMWS); member of Australians Against Commercialisation of Wildlife; co-founder of Australians for Wildlife; past member of Executive Committee of Animals Australia; member of Committee of WLPA; an original funders of Animal Justice Party; presenter and observer of numerous animal conferences internationally and nationally.

11:30AM, ROOM 3

Harley McDonald-EckersallYOUNG VOICES FOR ANIMALS

Young blood: Empowering the future of the animal rights movement

Summary: This presentation will delve into the power and passion of young animal liberation activists, exploring their critical role within the movement and the potential that they hold. This interactive style workshop will detail the enormous, almost untapped potential that young people have in the animal rights movement and the necessity of supporting and empowering future generations. Harley will take you through how to create more youth inclusive spaces and events which will allow the movement to benefit from the new ideas and fire borne by emerging activists.

Biography: After becoming engaged with animal rights two years ago, Harley has become passionate about using stories to change our perception of other animals and see them for who they really are. With a deep interest in both social justice and the creative arts, she served as a media intern with 40K, a social enterprise doing innovative education work in rural India and has also interned at the Malthouse Theatre. Harley is a founding member and Operations Manager of Young Voices for Animals. She is currently studying a Bachelor of Arts (Theatre) and a Master of Cultural and Creative Industries at Monash University.


12:30PM, ROOM 1

Emily Moran BarwickBITE SIZE VEGAN

Watching what we say: Effective activism through mindful language

Summary: Are your words working against you? As activists, our language choices can be our greatest asset, or our most self-defeating liability. We may focus so intensely on what our message is that we neglect how we’re communicating it—and it’s the how that makes all the difference. When we’re mindful of our language choices—and whom we’re trying to reach—the effectiveness and integrity of our message increases exponentially. This talk will address the sheer power of language, and discuss how to walk the line of staying firm in your convictions and uncompromising in your message while still helping people lower their guard enough to listen, hear, and make the connection.

Biography: Emily Moran Barwick is an animal-liberation activist, educator, international speaker, and the founder of the non-profit Bite Size Vegan, where she creates free, educational videos, essays, reports and resources, covering issues impacting our environment, public and individual health, and the rights of all sentient beings.

12:30PM, ROOM 2

Tara Ward and Mike RosalkyANIMAL DEFENDERS OFFICE

Laws that affect animal activists

Summary: Tara and Mike will provide an overview of some of the key laws that affect animal activists. These include criminal and civil trespass, defamation, surveillance devices legislation, and police powers.

Biography: Since 2006 Tara has been actively involved in local animal liberation groups. Having studied law at university, in 2006 Tara enrolled in the first animal law course offered in Australia. In 2014 she co-founded Australia’s first Animal Defenders Office, a generalist community legal centre dealing with legal matters affecting animals and their defenders. In 2017 the ADO was accredited by the peak industry body for community legal centres in Australia. Tara is also on the Animal Welfare Advisory Committee advising the ACT minister responsible for animal welfare, and an animal welfare category member on the ANU’s Animal Ethics Committee. Tara is a co-founder of and volunteer event organiser for the Living Green Festival (ACT). Mike volunteers as a lawyer and director for the Animal Defenders Office, an animal law community legal centre based in Canberra. Mike provides legal advice and assistance to clients who want to protect animals from suffering, speaks to groups about the animal law framework in Australia, and advocates for better animal protection laws through public forums, government submissions and meetings with politicians.

12:30PM, ROOM 3

Emma HurstANIMAL JUSTICE PARTY

Why animal politics matters

Summary: At a time when the Australian public are increasingly cynical about the motivations of politicians and democracy itself is being questioned, why would an activist waste time on chasing votes at the ballot box? Social change and political change go hand in hand. The activists who collect petition signatures, protest at abattoirs or demand an end to live export ultimately all require our laws and public policies to change. The Animal Justice Party is the only political party that seeks to end animal exploitation, encourages the uptake of a plant-based diet and seeks a transition from animal to plant-based agricultural systems while restoring habitat for native animals.

Biography: Emma Hurst is a registered psychologist, the National Campaign Manager at the Animal Justice Party and the Senate candidate for the upcoming NSW State election in 2019. Emma has worked tirelessly for the rights of animals for over 11 years with a background in campaigning, political lobbying, and media work. She has been vegan for 19 years.


2:15PM, ROOM 3

Brian Hallmond@VEGAN LIFE CHANGE

The power of standing out

Summary: Brian will address the methods of activism he has found most effective. Given activism can be an emotionally draining and overwhelming experience; he will also offer his techniques for maintaining sustainable activism and avoid emotional overload during and after events. He will cover why each activist is as important as the animals we are fighting for and why it’s fantastic to stand out and be loud and proud about what we do.

Biography: Brian Hallmond is a full time animal rights activist, former professional wrestler who left his passion and English teaching degree to dedicate his life to animal rights and has been vegan for three years. For the past 2.5 years he has been participating in regular animal rights events and focusing on personal growth and brainstorming unique ideas to veganize the world sooner. Brian has participated in almost 200 Cube of Truth events, slaughterhouse lockdowns, lead marches and was the key speaker in the first ever vegan flash mob.

2:15PM, ROOM 1

Isy VeiraLEGION DX SYDNEY

[F.E.A.R] Face.Everything.And.Rise: The role of Direct Action in the AR movement.

Summary: To openly discuss Direct Action [DX] and its importance to the AR movement. To give participants the opportunity to work shop a DX action.

Biography: Isy Veira is an Animal Liberation activist and Co-founder/ Lead Organiser of Legion DX Sydney, a dedicated group of activists committed to non-violent, assertive direct action with the sole intent of abolishing the exploitation and killing of ALL animals.

“Our Mission is to expose through Direct Action the atrocities inflicted on our animal friends by the meat, seafood, dairy, egg, clothing, medical and entertainment industries. Every action is a reaction and response to these industries and serves to educate, inform and hold accountable those who commit these crimes towards our fellow earthlings”

2:15PM, ROOM 2

Jesse MarksANIMALS AUSTRALIA

5 ideas to accelerate change for animals

Summary: Animal agriculture is the number one cause of animal cruelty globally. So how can we get animals out of this system as quickly as possible? These simple ideas for how we advocate and campaign could get us there quicker…

Biography: Jesse is Animals Australia’s Director of Farmed Animal Advocacy. He’s been advocating for animals for over a decade and has played a key role in campaigns to end factory farming, end live animal exports, and get plant-based products into major institutions.


3:00PM, ROOM 2

Matt StellinoANONYMOUS FOR THE

VOICELESS SYDNEY

Effective conversation and questioning techniques

Summary: My workshop looks at effective questions you can ask people when speaking to them about veganism. It looks at how to structure a conversation so you can effectively help a person to adopt veganism as their ethos. I will also cover some common objections and key methods to overcome them.

Biography: I am a hunter turned vegetarian, turned vegan, turned activist. I believe one of the most effective forms of activism to be public outreach events. I love outreach that involves conversation and estimate I have had ‘The Conversation’ about being vegan in excess of 1700 times. My history in corporate sales and as an infantry soldier in the Australian Army gives me an effective and generally well received method of questioning to use in conversation. I want to share the skill and passion for it to as many vegans as I can in the hopes that they help people when they speak to friends, family or members of the public about veganism.

3:00PM, ROOM 1

Sam TuckerVEGAN OUTREACH

The power of a leaflet: University outreach, virtual reality and beyond

Summary: In this presentation, Sam will discuss why university students are so receptive to the vegan message and why handing them leaflets about veganism and showing them virtual reality footage of factory farms and slaughterhouses is so effective. He will discuss the research on the psychology of behavioural change and what motivates people to go vegan that influences Vegan Outreach’s approach and how to easily apply the findings of this research to any other form of outreach. With a strong focus on unity in the movement, Sam will focus heavily on how we can all help each other to help animals and build a stronger and more connected movement.

Biography: Sam Tucker is the Australia & New Zealand Outreach Manager for Vegan Outreach. He travels to and organizes outreach at almost every university in Australia and New Zealand at least once every semester. He has been involved with Vegan Outreach for nearly 4 years now, and in various other forms of animal rights activism for more than a decade. Since he started working with Vegan Outreach, more than half a million university students across Australia and New Zealand have been handed a Vegan Outreach leaflet at outreach events he’s organized and leafleted at.

3:00PM, ROOM 3

Alex VinceANIMAL LIBERATION NSW

WTF does welfare mean? Using our words to change the world

Summary: What does “welfare” really mean? Across conversations, in the media, and in industry ad-speak, we often hear words used in ways that bear no resemblance to reality. Throughout our culture, animals are routinely referred to only in ways that remove their agency and camouflage cruelty. This presentation looks to the way we communicate to better understand how, why, and when humans have silenced other-than-human animals, what this means for the animals themselves, and how we can use our words to change the world for good. From phrases that activate ideas, images, or emotions in our minds, to the ways that certain words have become coded as common sense, this presentation promises to unpack some of the most deceptive and cruelty-excusing ways we talk about the lives of other animals. The fight for a kinder future starts within our own minds and begins with the words on our tongues. Let’s begin by liberating our language together.

Biography: Alex is a dedicated abolitionist who has worked on issues ranging from the state-sanctioned slaughter of introduced wildlife to the cruelties inherent in animal agribusiness. Based in Sydney, he currently works for Animal Liberation NSW.


4:15PM, ROOM 1

Sebastiaan WolswinkelPINKPOLITIEK (“YOUTH OF THE PARTY

FOR THE ANIMALS”)

Transforming democracy for the sake of systematic change – animal rights in politics

Summary: Democracies as we know them are nothing of the sort. As a result, nobody in politics needs to feel responsible for individuals without a vote: chief amongst them non-human animals and future generations. The animal rights movement must recognise the need to enter politics directly in order to bring about the systematic we strive for. Sebastiaan will lay out the logic behind this thinking and show that empirical proof is beginning to build up.

Biography: Sebastiaan is an English/Dutch pragmatic idealist, romantic utilitarian and reluctant politician, obviously intent on changing the world. He is a Mathematics teacher and chairman of the political youth organisation of the Dutch ‘Partij voor de Dieren’. Half-English himself, he is an involved member of the Animal Welfare Party in England. He is also supporting the Djurens Parti in Sweden and the Parti Animaliste in France (both ‘Animal Party’) in setting up their own youth organisations, and supporting the Australian Animal Justice Party in pursuing that same goal.

4:15PM, ROOM 2

Lissy JayneAUSSIE FARMS AND BEAR

WITNESS AUSTRALIA

Lessons learnt from being an investigator

Summary: With a growing number of people having an interest in investigating and documenting animal use in Australia, there’s a lot to share about what Aussie Farms has learnt during our investigations about how to do this as successfully and safely as possible. I will also touch on equipment that we use and recommend such as cameras.

Biography: I have been an animal rights activist for about five years, and most of that time worked for Aussie Farms on investigations and research. During that time I developed my interest in photography and branched out into founding an additional organisation called Bear Witness Australia for photojournalism. I have since grown this organisation to eight additional investigators/photographers.

4:15PM, ROOM 3

Zacchary BirdAcai bowl activism: Food and social media in veganism

Summary: What place do smoothie bowls and hashtags have in vegan advocacy? Is uploading photos of your lunch narcissism, activism, or both? We discuss how to broadcast veganism effectively online and use food to convert your contacts.

Biography: Zacchary is a private chef and recipe writer based in Melbourne who spends his free time making jokes on social media.

FORUM TEAM

Roy Taylor, Leticia Johnson, Shane Sims, Natalia Jones, Helen Rose, Ric Allport

FORUM SUPPORTERS

VOLUNTEERS

Alice Arnold • Dillon Condor • David Coulter • Vanessa Denham • Christine Hahn Saskja Hahn • Brian Hallmond • Priscilla Huynh • Linda MacCarthy • Markus Manns

Tracey Paterson • Fraser Paterson • Lucy Rose • Joel Sanders Danish Uthaiyakumer • Amin the vegan photographer

Disclaimer: The views and opinions raised in this forum are those of the speakers themselves and do not necessarily reflect the opinion on the Animal Activists Forum team or any associated organisations. Attendees should be aware that some of the content of the presentation may be distressing. Attendees are advised to exercise their own discretion as to which presentations they attend, and the organisers and associated organisations take no responsibility for emotional distress. Wherever possible, we will endeavour to warn of graphic images, but no responsibility is taken for the material conveyed in the presentation by the organisers or associated organisations of the Animal Activist Forum.

More information on our presenters and their talks can be found at:

activistsforum.com or facebook.com/activistsforum

saturday timetable - animal activists forum€¦ · saturday timetable time room 1 room 2 room 3...

Documents