Summer Conferences…

There are quite a few interesting and varied conferences coming up for Vegetarians/Vegans/Animal Rights Activists.  Coming up in the beginning of March is the “Free the Animals Conference” hosted by Stop Animal Exploitation Now, in Florida.   http://www.all-creatures.org/saen/event-20130101-registration.html  That conference, also, allows opportunities for attendees to volunteer at Jungle Friends Primate Sanctuary.

Further into the future are some well-known conferences including the F.A.R.M. AR Conference and Vegetarian Summerfest, as well as the No Kill Conference, and the Anti-fur Society Conference (all but “Summerfest” take place around the Washington DC area).

Two of the biggest/most widely-attended conferences of the Summer are the Farm Animal Rights Movement’s “AR 2013”–taking place on the East Coast for a second year in a row before switching back to the West Coast, next year, and the North American Vegetarian Society’s Vegetarian Summerfest, which takes place in Western Pennsylvania.

The F.A.R.M. AR Conference is a multi-day event that takes place at the Hilton in Alexandria, Virginia from June 27th to 30th, this year.  It includes a variety of topics relating to Animal Rights and Animal Welfare, via a plethora of different speakers, workshops, tablers, and merchants selling Vegan wares.  More information about the conference can be obtained on the AR 2013 website: http://www.arconference.org/

Vegetarian Summerfest takes place from July 3rd through 7th, this year, at the University of Pittsburgh Johnstown Campus, and is a conference with both workshops about Animal Rights-related issues, as well as a workshop track for those interested in the health aspect of veganism.  It has a laid-back atmosphere and a large campus to explore.  There are fun activities including a dance, as well as many learning and networking opportunities.  More information about “Summerfest” can be obtained by visiting their website: http://www.vegetariansummerfest.org/

There are a great many Veganism/Animal Rights/Vegetarianism-related conferences, gatherings and events that take place in many different states and other parts of the world.  If you are someone who is interested in being more involved in the Animal Rights movement, or learning about or exploring Vegetarianism or Veganism, or networking with others who are, you should definitely attend one of the Animal Rights/Veg conferences that peaks your interest.

Pictures from AR 2012:

Michael Weber and Jon Camp Speaking at a Workshop

Victoria Moran Presenting

Freedom (an Amazing Dog Rescued from a laboratory) standing by a bag of V-Dog Vegetarian Dog Food in the Exhibit Hall

(Websites for the other two conferences referenced are…
No Kill Conference: http://nokillconference.org/
–and–
Anti-Fur Society Conference: http://www.afsconference.org/)

For more information on any of the conferences, reach out to their organizations, or post an inquiry on here. Hope you will attend!
~*Kristin Star*

P.A.N. Vegan Pledge Program Coming to Sussex County

Peace Advocacy Network has been running a US version of the Vegan Pledge Program for quite some time, and as of this March, it is going to be offered in Northern New Jersey.

The Vegan Pledge Program is a program in which people who are interested in a vegan lifestyle take a pledge to Go Vegan for a month–in which time, they are mentored by vegans, and attend weekly meetings where they have a chance to hear presentations about a variety of topics relating to veganism–including health; environmental impact; and of course, animals.  Participants, also, receive vegan care packages, and get to meet a variety of people.  It is a great opportunity for anyone who is interested in going vegan for any reason, as well as for family members of vegans who want their family to experience the way of life that they enjoy, and hope for them to embrace it themselves.

The program has a high success rate for people staying vegan after the 30-day period, and has thrived and expanded in recent years, and is being offered in 8 locations (so far) in 2013.

For more information on the Vegan Pledge Program, you can visit the P.A.N. site at http://www.panveganpledge.org/

And, for more information on the North Jersey Vegan Pledge Program that NJARC will be hosting in March, as well as a registration form, please visit http://www.panveganpledge.org/forms/PanVeganPledgeformNorthNJ2013.htm

The North Jersey program’s meetings will take place each Saturday in March–most at the Main Branch of the Sussex County Library (one meeting location is still-to-be-determined).

If you are interested in either being a program participant, or a mentor, please sign up, contact P.A.N., or send an e-mail to Kristin_NJARC@live.com

~*Kristin Star*