Tuesday 14.55 Speakers

Prof. Dr. med. Bernd Krönig, Germany Biography:  Born 1939 in Wies­baden. 1975:  Appointed Professor and Senior Consultant in Mainz. 1976-2005: Executive Consultant in the Department for Internal Medicine  at the  Protestant Elisabeth Hospital in Trier. 1995-2006: board member of the  Germany Society for the Prevention and Rehabilitation of Heart and Circulatory Disease, Koblenz.  1998: Awarded the Order of Merit by the German Federal Republic for honorary involvement in preventive medicine.  2002:  Awarded the MEDICA Shield for outstanding service to postgraduate medical education by the German Society for the Advancement of Medical Diagnosis. 2002: Chairman of the House of Health, Trier-Saarburg.  Numerous projects in preventive medicine. Since Nov. 2004: Realisation of a model project, the Trier Regional Centre for Dementia. Numerous scientific publications, articles and lectures. Lecture title: The Influence of a Vegetarian Diet on Cardio-Vascular Disease Abstract:  In the Western industrialised nations cardiovascular disease is still the main cause of death, reaching 40 to 45 %. The main culprits are coronary heart disease, myocardial insuffiency and stroke. All these diseases are promoted by cardiovascular risk factors such as, first, arterial hypertension and smoking, secondly diabetes, physical inactivity, overweight  and, in particular, unhealthy food.  With health-promoting plant substances such as bioflavones and polyphenols, active as antioxidants in vegetarian food, a considerable amount of arteriosclerotic disease could be avoided. Appreciation of this is vital for the general health of all populations. The results of the well known INTERHEART study showed that the risk of acute myocardial infarction could be reduced by 76%(!) with a diet rich in fruit and vegetables and a non-smoking environment. Even the risk of Alzheimer’s disease can be reduced with a Mediterranean plant-based lifestyle. Date: Tuesday 29 July 2008; Time: 14:55; Room: Festsaal; Language: German with simultaneous translation
Rynn Berry, USA Website: www.vegsource.com/berry Biography: Rynn Berry is historical advisor to the North American Vegetarian Society (NAVS). In his lectures, articles, and books he has specialized in the study of vegetarianism from an historical perspective. He is the author of five books on vegetarianism: The New Vegetarians, Famous Vegetarians, Food for the Gods: Vegetarianism and the World's Religions, Hitler: Neither Vegetarian Nor Animal Lover and The Vegan Guide to New York City. The last book, which comes out annually, is the first exclusively vegan guidebook on the planet, Lecture title: Ethical Vegetarianism and Non-violence in the World's Religions Abstract: Come and share the fascinating but rarely discussed history of the crucial role that non-violence and vegetarianism have played in the beliefs of many influential sects, including Jains, Essenes, Gnostics, Cathars, Bible Chistians and Seventh Day Adventists as well as all the major faiths. Date: Tuesday 29 July 2008; Time: 14:55; Room: Neumarkt; Language: English
Jan Stastny, Czech Republic 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: Historical Cartoons Portraying Vegetarians Abstract: The talk is focused on historical cartoons portraying vegetarians. More than 20 old cartoons (19th-20th century) satirizing vegetarians will show the persisting prejudice that we are just grass and carrot eaters, thin weird creatures, and so on.  Most of the cartoons were collected as a “byproduct“ of my historical research. Many are from Germany and UK, but rarities from other countries such as Australia are also included.  This will be the funny part of the Congress and we shall see that our opponents have not changed in two centuries. Date: Tuesday 29 July 2008; Time: 14:55; Room: Altmarkt; Language: English
Sebastian Zoesch, MA, Germany Biography: B.Sc. in Cognitive Science in Osnabrueck, Germany and Yokohama, Japan Traineeship at PETA in Stuttgart, Germany und Norfolk, USA M.A. in Management of Non-profit Organisations Strategic Consultant for Non-profit Organisations at Pricewaterhouse Coopers Since 2007 board member of the German Vegetarian Society (VEBU) with responsibility for corporate affairs. Lecture title: Strategic Reflections on Spreading the Vegetarian Message Abstract: Why do some ideas spread like wildfire while others don’t? What are the strategies to spread the vegetarian message? What are the common mistakes made by vegetarian and vegan organisations and how can they be avoided? Where is the best place to invest one’s effort? Answers to these questions and many more will be presented and discussed. Interested listeners are welcome to join in the creation of a “Veggie Think Tank” to discuss the topic further in the future. Date: Tuesday 29 July 2008; Time: 14:55; Room: Bähr; Language: German/English
Dr. phil. Erika Gartmann, Germany Website: www.erikagartmann.de Biography: Born in 1943.  Studies in Slavonic languages and literature and education.  PhD 1978. 1978-2006 scientific research  and 1978-1991 teacher at Philipps University, Marburg. Publications include:  Devaluation of Maternal Culture (1993),  Nature, Emotion and Responsibility (1997), Children and the Love of Animals (2003), Lecture title: Symptoms and Psychological Consequences of Meat Eating Abstract: Presentation of my ideas for eco-psychoanalysis, a new interdisciplinary science of the unconscious in relation to the meat eating culture. Children and their love for animals. Socialisation to meat consumption. Psychological problems in children.  Signs and symptoms: the power and property symptom, the victim syndrome, the justification symptom, the run-away symptom. Date: Tuesday 29 July 2008; Time: 14:55; Room: Brühl; Language: German

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