Uniting for Change: Insights and Inspiration from the Conference on Animal Rights in Europe (CARE)
From September 12th to 15th, 2024, the Plant Futures team had the opportunity to attend the Conference on Animal Rights in Europe (CARE) in Warsaw, Poland. This was a meaningful milestone for us as it marked our first time attending CARE, an international conference that has been building connections and inspiring advocacy groups across Europe since 2016. More than just a conference, CARE serves as a vital platform that equips advocates with the tools and knowledge to drive meaningful change for animal welfare, human health, and planetary sustainability. At Plant Futures, we recognize that transitioning to plant-based food systems is essential for mitigating climate change, promoting public health, and ensuring a more sustainable, compassionate future for all.
We were thrilled to have our Founder and Director, Samantha Derrick, take the stage as a panelist at this year’s conference. Joining her were Eric Sirvinskas from our U.S. team and Darleen Martinez from our Mexico team, showcasing our exciting progress across different regions. Together, they shared our latest growth, learned about other organization’s work, and left the event enriched with connections and possibilities within the movement. It was a powerful few days filled with fresh perspectives, meaningful conversations, and exciting new connections that serve as touchstones for our aligned, collective missions.
A Platform for Global Connections
One of the most powerful takeaways from CARE was the incredible opportunity to network with advocates from diverse areas of expertise. The facilitated exchange of ideas and strategies was a reminder that while we come from different backgrounds and bring different skill sets to the table, we are all united in our commitment for building a more just future. This conference was a great reminder that there is power in a plant-centric food system, recognizing food as a key element in the transition toward animal wellbeing, sustainability, ethical consumption, and improved public health
For us at Plant Futures, having team members from both the U.S. and Mexico created a dynamic cultural exchange. Darleen shared stories of the plant-based movement growing in Mexico, while Eric highlighted the work of our more than 70 student chapters in the U.S.
“Being able to share about the different strategies and actions happening in Mexico as we are building our Plant Futurists’ network there, was a great reminder that change is always happening in the ways we least expect it. It really puts into perspective how necessary it is to just talk to one another about our work and experiences”, said Darleen about their time at CARE. For us at Plant Futures, this experience was a grounding reminder that the animal rights movement is truly an international effort, and our collective mission grows stronger when we work together across borders.
Intersections of Animal Advocacy
and Plant-Rich Food Systems Design
On Saturday, CARE 2024 dedicated an entire section of the conference to food systems transformation and interventions. These sessions allowed attendees to explore new ideas, challenge existing strategies, and collaborate on more effective ways to create a just and sustainable food production system. The panel discussions highlighted how advocacy for animal rights is directly intertwined with designing plant-rich, sustainable food systems. These sessions allowed us to explore innovative strategies for transforming agricultural practices, reducing reliance on animal products, and shifting toward regenerative plant-based food systems. Each panel brought to light the critical need to align our food production with planetary limits while promoting ethical consumption practices.
The plant-based sessions featured three diverse panel discussions. The first, Why Your Theory of Change Doesn’t Work, was a deep dive into the different approaches to achieving a world without animal suffering. Panelists asked thought-provoking questions: How do we get to the finish line? What are the most effective strategies? With so many pathways to reform, the discussion aimed to uncover what might help us create a more just food system. Is the future truly plant-based, and if so, what steps are necessary to get there?
Another panel, Can Our Pathways Cross?, focused on finding common ground between alternative protein advocacy and welfare campaigning. With multiple strategies pulling us in different directions, the panel explored whether there were links between these approaches that could accelerate progress. It raised essential questions about whether absolute change and incremental strategies can work together, and whether groups focused on different goals might discover new ways to collaborate for greater impact.
In the third panel, It’s Not Our Job—Who’s Responsible for Change in the Plant-Based Food System?, our director, Samantha Derrick, shared her insights. She was joined by Jonathan Sander from the Put Change on the Menu Project at Eurogroup for Animals and Bartek Filipowicz, head of Happy Cow. The discussion was moderated by Alicja Bućko. This panel focused on the role of NGOs, businesses, politics, and education in driving plant-based systems forward. They discussed the balance of responsibilities between these groups—where NGOs’ influence ends and where the responsibility of food companies, politicians, and educators begins. Their intriguing contributions allowed us to think about how we can effectively collaborate to build a plant-based future while ensuring each party contributes in meaningful ways without overstepping boundaries.
Samantha emphasized a key point that resonated with many: “Everything starts with education.” She spoke about the foundational role education plays in driving systemic change, noting that it’s not just about teaching students what’s happening in the food system but about preparing them to actively combat it. “Education is the start, but it doesn’t end there,” she said. Samantha highlighted the importance of creating pathways that connect what students learn in the classroom to real-world applications, ensuring they don’t just absorb knowledge but also develop the skills to drive change in their careers and communities.
These sessions provided invaluable insight into how different sectors can work together to push the movement forward. Whether rethinking strategies, exploring collaboration between different advocacy approaches, or highlighting the critical role of education, the discussions reaffirmed that the future of the plant-rich food system lies in cooperation, innovation, and empowering the next generation of changemakers. This session was a great opportunity to share about why our work as Plant Futures is so necessary in transitioning into a more sustainable, just and hopeful society for all sentient beings.
Why CARE is a Must-Attend Event
If you’re considering attending CARE in the future, we can’t recommend it enough. For us, it was an invaluable opportunity to connect, reflect, and leave with new tools and strategies to take back to our work. The conference brings advocates together not only to celebrate successes but also to learn from challenges and chart the path forward to transform our food system.
One of the most thoughtful aspects of CARE is its attention to the attendee experience. It wasn’t just about packing in panels and workshops—the event was designed with mindfulness in mind. Between sessions, there were various spaces to recharge and connect, like beanbags downstairs to rest, or the yellow steps and common areas for one-on-one conversations. The crowd flow was well managed, making it easy to engage without feeling overwhelmed. This attention to detail shows that CARE understands sustainability isn’t just about animals and the planet—it’s about taking care of advocates too and reminding us that we need to take time to rest and recharge.
CARE 2024 was an unforgettable experience, and we’re incredibly grateful to everyone who made it so impactful. From the dedicated organizers to the passionate volunteers, inspiring speakers, and engaged attendees—each played a crucial role in making the conference a memorable and transformative event. CARE is more than just a conference—it’s a community, a resource, and a powerful catalyst for change. Together, we came away with new insights, stronger connections, and a renewed sense of purpose in building a more just, sustainable, and healthy food system for animals, people and the planet.
We’re already counting down to next year’s 10th-anniversary event, set to take place from September 11th to 14th, 2025. We hope to see you there, ready to continue building a future where animal suffering is a thing of the past. Be sure to follow CARE on Instagram for updates and inspiration as we gear up for another incredible event. Let’s keep the momentum going!
