Summer Conferences, 2009

The Chicago Soy Dairy booth, at the Animal Rights National Conference, 2008.
Photo by Doris Lin.

Conferences are a great way to learn more about issues, network with other activists, and develop skills and strategies. At least three large, national conferences are coming up this summer:

• Vegetarian Summerfest, July 8-12, Johnstown, PA. Sponsored by the North American Vegetarian Society. Sessions will include "health and nutrition, lifestyle issues, cooking, recipes, exercise and fitness, animal rights, compassionate living, Earth stewardship, and even more!" Go for the full conference, or just the weekend.
  
  My take: The Summerfest is a really fun conference. Socializing in the evening, vegan cooking classes, and you can even use some of the athletic facilities on campus. Plus informative sessions on health, animal rights and the environment.



• Animal Rights National Conference, July 16-20, Los Angeles, CA. Sponsoring organizations include Farm Animal Reform Movement, In Defense of Animals, and Sea Shepherd. "Animal Rights 2009 is the U.S. animal rights movement's annual national conference. It is also the world's largest & longest-running animal rights gathering, hailing back to 1981. Animal Rights 2009 is a forum for sharing knowledge, reporting on progress, discussing strategies and tactics, networking, and 'recharging our batteries.'" Save on registration by joining the conference staff or applying for a low-income discount.
  
  My take: This conference focuses on animal rights and empowering activists to run their own grassroots campaigns and organizations. While there are sessions for newbies to learn about factory farming, you can also get tips on civil disobedience, or participate in a philosophical discussion of how animal rights relates to other social justice movements. Read blogs posted from last year's Animal Rights National Conference.



• Taking Action for Animals, July 24-27, in Arlington, VA. Sponsored by The Humane Society of the US. "Learn how to plan effective campaigns, walk the halls of Congress to lobby your federal legislators on animal protection issues, and hear from speakers such as HSUS president and CEO Wayne Pacelle, comedian and author Carol Leifer, Colorado State University professor and bioethicist Dr. Bernard Rollin, and U.S. Representative Jim Moran (D-Va), co-chairman of the Congressional Animal Protection Caucus."
  
  My take: The emphasis is on mainstream animal protection issues. This is a conference where seasoned animal activists can learn more about issues and hear a Congressman speak about legislation, and newbies will not be frightened by fiery rhetoric. Read blogs posted from last year's Taking Action for Animals conference.