VUNA Views, Vol.8, No. 3, Summer (June), 2000

VUNA Views, Vol. 8, No. 3, Summer (June), 2000

Toronto Congress Anticipates a Vegetarian World

. . . but first, an apology

We're back!!! VUNA members are probably used to the erratic publication schedule of VUNA Views, but the ten months between our last issue and this one exceed the boundaries of acceptability even for a volunteer-produced newsletter. Many factors combined to bring about the delay--a situation doubtless familiar to most people who take on more than they can reasonably expect to complete in a timely fashion. Nevertheless, you, the readers, should not be deprived because of someone else's circumstances, however understandable the delay might be. I am taking steps to get VUNA Views on a true quarterly schedule so that such a long gap in issues will not happen again. Please accept my apology.--Judy Miner, editor

A World of Interests Planned for WVC
As the 34th World Vegetarian Congress fast approaches, the program has taken on its final shape--with the promise of an enlightening, entertaining, and extremely busy gathering for those who will travel to Toronto from several continents. Beginning with an IVU Member Societies meeting on the morning of July 10, the Congress will quickly go into overdrive until the last session on Sunday afternoon, July 16. In between is a rich offering of talks, discussions, and workshops on just about every topic of interest to vegetarians, along with cooking classes and food demos, entertainment, gourmet buffet-style meals prepared under the supervision of Gold Medal-winning vegan chefs Ken Bergeron and Ron Pickarski, and the opportunity to get acquainted with vegetarians from all over the world and with the vibrant, vegetarian-friendly city of Toronto.

The program schedule will allow participants flexibility in choosing topics of personal interest as well as how many sessions to attend. The morning schedule is generally lighter, allowing for touring or shopping without missing too much of the Congress. Yet there is always something going on for those who prefer not to venture from the Toronto Colony Hotel, the venue for all Congress activities and meals. The morning and afternoon sessions always offer several choices of topics. At each evening plenary several speakers will focus upon a theme: Health Issues, Global Issues, Vegan Plenary, and Ethics and Compassion.

A Worthy Conclusion
On Saturday night, the Congress will culminate in an elegant, sit-down banquet with multi-course menu prepared by chef Ken Bergeron, held in the chandeliered Grand Colony Ballroom. Former IVU President Howard Lyman and a few other speakers will address the attendees and dancing will follow. The menu is vegan and gluten free, with raw-food and macrobiotic plates available upon request. Those who can linger on Sunday will find a selection of talks and workshops until 2:20 PM. Then this one-week foretaste of the vegetarian world for which we are hoping and working will end until the 35th World Congress, to be held in Edinburgh in 2002.

In setting up this Congress, the Toronto Vegetarian Association, which is hosting the Congress, and Congress Coordinator Peter McQueen have drawn from their abundant experience with Toronto's always-successful annual Vegetarian Food Fair. Several members of the VUNA Council will be among the presenters. For example, Ruth Heidrich, back in championship form after recovering from severe injuries when she was hit by a truck while training for a marathon, will be giving three talks. Gerry Coffey will be doing a food demo on "Guilt-free Desserts," including what she describes as "the delicious, earth friendly, ice cream alternative" that was a huge hit at the Vegetarian Summerfest a few years ago, and will serve on some discussion panels. Dilip Barman will also be a panel participant, is giving a talk on vegetarian gardening, and also doing a cooking demo. Dennis Bayomi is involved with some panels and workshops for activists. Delegates from VUNA member organizations will also be participating in the IVU General Meeting--the first under the new IVU Constitution--at which a new International Council will be elected.

On Tuesday morning, the American Vegan Society will hold its 40th Annual Convention--tragically without its Founder and President Jay Dinshah, who died suddenly on June 8. The Convention will take the form of a memorial to the lifework of H. Jay Dinshah and will be held on July 11 from 10 AM till noon in a larger room in order to accommodate the anticipated audience. One or more memorial funds to help carry on Jay's work are being established, as well as more tributes to Jay at the Congress.

Although the deadlines for reserving rooms at the Toronto Colony Hotel and the University of Toronto Residence have passed, day registrations for the program are still available. Contact the Toronto Vegetarian Association for more information: 2300 Yonge Street, Suite 1101, PO Box 2307, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4P 1E4; Phone: +1 416/544-8891; e-mail: wvc2000@veg.on.ca; Web: http://www.veg.on.ca.

Maintained by Judy Miner jwminer@accessvt.com
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