Thursday 16.00 Speakers

Jan Stastny, Czech republic Website: www.vegspol.cz Biography: Jan Stastny, 30, is vegan, a member of the board of the Czech Vegetarian Society and editor of the society’s magazine "Vegetarian & Vegan". Since 2001 he has been promoting vegetarianism and veganism in the media and giving lectures and talks on vegetarianism and veganism, especially the historical aspect. Professionally he is a lawyer specialising in European law and human and animal rights. Lecture title:  Franz Kafka – Vegetarian Activist Abstract: The talk will be about the world famous writer Franz Kafka (1883-1924), his advocacy of vegetarianism and the man who introduced him to natural healing – Moriz Schnitzer (organiser of the IVU Congress in 1929). Most vegetarians know just one quote from Kafka: "Now I can at last look at you in peace, I don't eat you anymore" on viewing the fish at a Berlin aquarium. But from his letters, diaries and other works it is clear that he was a very active advocate of vegetarianism. He also travelled to vegetarian restaurants and sanatoriums throughout Europe. The lecture includes surprising new findings, Kafka’s own texts about vegetarianism, photos of vegetarian restaurants and other places that he visited, the meals he enjoyed and postcards from vegetarian restaurants that he sent. Date: Thursday 31 July 2008; Time: 16:00; Room: Festsaal; Language: English
Esther Ouwehand, Netherlands / Stefan Eck, Germany / Ralph Chaloupek, Austria The Necessity of Political Engagement for Animal Welfare and Animal Rights. The Animal Welfare Parties Deutsch/English
Stephen Walsh, UK Biography: Born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Stephen Walsh obtained his PhD in process systems analysis at Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine in London, where he lectured full time for several years.  He is currently Spokesperson on Nutrition and Health for the UK Vegan Society and Science Co-ordinator of the International Vegetarian Union. His book, Plant Based Nutrition and Health, is the result of analysing thousands of scientific studies to develop realistic recommendations for optimal health.  Acclaimed by The Sunday Times as an “accomplished databuster” he is particularly well known for debunking unsubstantiated health claims from whatever direction they may come. Title of the lecture: Myths and Misconceptions:  Things "everyone knows" that aren't true Abstract: If we hear something often enough we tend to believe it must be true. This talk will look at examples of claims with a wide circulation that simply don't stand up to scrutiny. For instance:  Dairy products are essential for bone health / Milk causes osteoporosis Soya is a superfood / Soya is a poison You can get vitamin B12 from spirulina/tempeh/miso/wheatgrass/etc The China Study shows that people consuming the least animal products are healthiest / Animal products are essential for health Any other interesting examples that come to light during the Congress may be added to the talk.  Each claim will be examined in the light of scientific evidence and I will conclude by discussing how we can all evaluate health claims for ourselves. Date: Thursday 31 July 2008; Time: 16:55; Room: Altmarkt; Language: English
Marly Winckler, Brazil Vegetarianism: a Revolutionary Lifestyle
Renato Pichler, Switzerland Website: www.vegetarismus.ch Biography: Born in 1969 in Switzerland. 1993 co-founder of the Swiss Union for Vegetarianism (SVV) and since then its president and manager. Since 2005 president of the European Vegetarian Union (EVU). Workshop title: Veggie Meets Industry – The V-Label Project Abstract: Introduction to the European V-Label project with reports on experiences, followed by discussion. This project provides a unique opportunity to bring together vegetarians and the food industry to the advantage of both sides. Date: Thursday 31 July 2008; Time: 16:00; Room: Brühl; Language: English

Back to the 2008 Congress Index