IVU ONLINE NEWS - February 2005

The Asian Tsunami has already faded from the world's headlines, but the work will obviously continue for a long time to come. IVU has done what it can to support our member society, Food For Life, in their outstanding efforts to provide free vegetarian food for tens of thoudands of people. Paul Turner, Director of FFL and a past member of the IVU International Council, is currently in Sri Lanka to ensure that the generous donations they received are being used in the most effective manner.

IVU works on a very small budget, but we do sometimes give grants for well planned projects. However even the best of plans can go wrong and a grant of 1,000 UK pounds recently had to be returned from a project that didn't go ahead. Rather than simply put it back in the bank the International Council agreed to donate this money to Food For Life. Just a small token, but along with the money donated by vegetarians around the world we can make a little difference to those in need. All of IVU's funds come from our members and supporters, so if you have paid a subscription we trust that you will be in agreement with just a little of your money being used in this way.

For further updates from FFL go to http://www.ffl.org

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IVU WORLD VEGETARIAN CONGRESSES

- success in Brazil, from Marly Winkler, Congress organiser.

In due course there will be a full report on the 36th WVC, held in Florianopolis, Brazil, in November 2004. Meanwhile just a brief summary - we had some 2000 participants: 638 subscriptions, about 1000 visitors for the 1st Fashion with Compassion Show, some 300 visitors for the 1st Cruelty-Free Fair and 52 registered journalists - from the local and national press. I'm happy to announce that we had a positive balance on the accounts. I'd like to thank you for the vital contribution of IVU and all of you who attended or not giving your inestimable support and contribution.

- lots of photos and reports at:
http://www.ivu.org/congress/2004

- and on to GOA, INDIA, 2006, from Jashu Shah, Congress organiser

The question is several times posed to me that "India being vegetarian, is a World Vegetarian Congress there necessary?"

In 1957 it was for the first time that the IVU came out to India and had the Congress. It was necessary at that time because one has to open out to the world. Now it has become necessary because the world is shrinking and people have become global. There is lot of interaction between the people and a whole generation has been changed. There is a big slot in the culture by TV and Radio - and because of the globalisation more interaction is taking place.

Traditionally at least 35% of Indians are strict vegetarians; another 35% take eggs/fish or chicken once a month or once a week. The majority of food contents in India is also vegetarian, there are one or two dishes made which are not vegetarian.

Because of the globalisation the younger generation is sitting on the fence. They do not know which way to look, and are turning non-vegetarians because of the international contact, and because of the onslaught of Venky's chicken and other food joints which are starting in India. The people are travelling and the globe is shrinking. The younger generation is turning to non-vegetarian.

The problem in the Western countries is to convince the people to become vegetarian. But our problem is otherwise. We have to convince the people not to become non-vegetarians. This only can be done by organizing Congresses, seminars etc., inviting people from the USA, UK, Europe and Far East to talk to the younger generation of the Indian people. Why those who are non-vegetarians have turned to vegetarianism - and when an outsider speaks it is more effective. Although we are traditionally vegetarians, we need to convince the people who are turning to non-vegetarians. And when a person who is convinced himself speaks, he is capable of convincing others. And that is why the Congress is more necessary in India than anywhere else.

India consists of a large community of people with different cultures and different aspects. I therefore strongly tell Indians that if the people from the Western world who were non-vegetarians have become vegetarians, that itself proves that the vegetarian food is better than the non-vegetarian food. You should come here to convince the people. Even when there is no World Vegetarian Congress some people should come here and deliver lectures.

This is for the time being. Let us work for the Congress. Let us pray for the success of the Congress by all getting together and telling the people what is good.

Regards,
Jashu Shah, Mumbai

For the for further details about Goa see hhtp://www.ivu.org/congress/2006 - more info will be added as it becomes available, so bookmark this page!

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NEW IVU MEMBERS AND SUPPORTERS AND INTERNET PARTNERS THIS MONTH

FatfreeVegan.com - www.fatfreevegan.com

VegetarianWomen.com - www.vegetarianwomen.com

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