This message resonated through the halls and rooms of Utrecht University on Saturday, October 19, during the Caring Actions Congress, organized by the Caring Movement. Participants left not only inspired but with more knowledge, new connections, a concrete plan of action, and a magazine full of hope-inspiring articles.
Speaking up for a sustainable food system becomes much easier when you realize you are not alone. Veterinarians, farmers, teachers, doctors, nurses, dietitians, students, and engaged citizens connected, sharing ideas and actions.
What did the speakers share with the attendees?
Anton Pijpers – President of Utrecht University’s Executive Board, opened the congress with a welcome speech, stating that livestock farming has become overly commercialized. He supports the Movement’s work through research and the Future Food program.
Joseph Poore – Director of the Oxford Martin Programme on Food Sustainability, showed us the impact of current food production with clear data and charts. Fortunately, he concluded with solutions to reverse this trend, making people, animals, and the planet healthier while still producing food. “I think knowledge and data play a critical role,” he noted; in other words, stay curious and use science.
Intermission
Animal-friendly livestock farming could yield greater wealth and generate 2 billion euros annually for the national treasury. This is according to a Social Cost-Benefit Analysis presented to the de Algemene Rekenkamer by De Dierenbescherming and Caring Farmers.
“De Algemene Rekenkamer is an advocate and ally in taking an integrated view on the transition to animal-friendly livestock farming,” stated Barbara Joziasse. More info in Dutch
After this special presentation, the Caring Doctors, Caring Farmers, and Caring Vets took the stage. Patrick Deckers (Caring Doctors), Kees Scheepens (Caring Farmers), and Anna Pijpers (Caring Vets) gave short yet powerful presentations on why they started the Caring Movement.
Movement Expansion with Caring Teachers and Caring Dietitians!
Indeed, Sander Lourens launched the Caring Teachers, wopen for sign ups now in Dutch. While Alina Petre stood up to establish Caring Dietitians.
Caring Doctors, along with Shireen Kassam, Tamara Aipassa, and Mitchell Evertsen, discussed the health benefits of unprocessed plant-based foods for people and the planet, the successes of Caring Doctors in encouraging care facilities to adopt a Planetary Health Diet for staff, patients, and residents, and how to discuss lifestyle and prevention with patients to prevent or reduce illness.
During lunch, doctors sat with farmers, and teachers with veterinarians.
In the next hour, Philip Lymbery, CEO of Compassion in World Farming, held the room in breathless silence. He skillfully explained why collaboration is more important now than ever: “We need to be ready, which is why this room, all of you, are so inspiring. With all your different interests, expertise, and motivations, we need to come together and build the biggest sail!”
With this pep talk fresh in mind, participants returned to breakout sessions to discuss actions: What is already happening? What can we learn from? What can we do tomorrow?
Breakout Sessions:
Klarien Klingen and Arjan Smit discussed ways to enhance collaboration in lobbying with doctors, farmers, and researchers. Franck Meijboom led a session on humanity’s evolving relationship with animals.
Rineke Dijkinga kon niet vaak genoeg vertellen over het belang van een gezonde bodem, wat dat bijdraagt aan een gezond microbioom in je darmen en dus aan jouw eigen gezondheid.
Coaches from Klimaatgesprekken, Andra Weg and Willy van Willigen, engaged participants in understanding behavior change psychology and how to talk with colleagues, emphasizing the importance of asking questions. Rune Cristoffer Dragsdahl demonstrated in his presentation that it is possible to unite diverse movements, as he did in Denmark with the organic and plant-based movement. Martina Vijver provided tools to detect pesticides at specific locations and ways to address their presence. Marga Witteman, Inge Hamming, and Cheryll Bisschof led an outdoor session on the importance of trees for human, animal, and climate health and how healthcare can engage more with this aspect.
In the closing session, Danish speaker Rune Cristoffer Dragsdahl emphasized the importance of not getting lost in minor differences or details but uniting in the common goal of more plant-based food and animal welfare. Denmark is already achieving remarkable results, and the Movement has the potential to succeed as well. Moderator Esther Molenwijk collected various insights and ideas from the audience, with some attendees already motivated to take action.
Esther then spoke with Sander Lourens (Caring Teachers), Patrick Deckers (Caring Doctors), Anna Pijpers (Caring Vets), and Kees Scheepens (Caring Farmers) about the Caring Movement’s strategy.
Time to Socialize!
With lupine bread and lupine spreads (from LekkerLupine), oyster mushroom-bitterballs (from the Oesterzwammerij), veggie snacks (from Kievitamines), sausages (from GoedGevulde) and cheese (from Remeker).
Special thanks to
All speakers
all participants
Esther Molenwijk for the excellent moderation
photographer Sabine Grootendorst
filmmaker Joris van Egmond.
For the magazine, thanks to Martijn de Kruijff for the layout and Else de Jonge for final editing.
And of course our sponsors:
Future Food – Universiteit Utrecht (Ingrid den Bosch en Simone Pekelsma)
Barth MIsset Fonds
Urgenda
Stichting de Hoorn
Provincie Utrecht
Would you like to stay in touch with participants and Caring organizations? Do you have an idea?
Join the LinkedIn group.
Want to read the magazine online?
Philip Lymbery’s article in English
Stay tuned on the LinkedIn group and website; videos, presentations, and reports will be shared soon.