The 9th edition of the European Vegetarian Congress will be held in Riccione between the 1st and 7th of October, giving European vegetarians the chance to reunite here in Italy.
It will be the perfect occasion to celebrate 20 years of activity of the EVU - European Vegetarian Union - and it will provide a unique opportunity to exchange ideas and talk about what being vegetarian signifies in today's society.
During the congress themes will be discussed, which are not only of national interest but are above all of interest on a European scale, and which demonstrate vegetarianism's ability to help create a better world in which to live.
Important representatives of the world of international vegetarianism are among the list of people that have been invited, together with a number of outstanding members of society and opinion leaders.
The congress will begin on 1st October with a party to celebrate World Vegetarian Day, a great chance to bring together people from a number of different walks of life; television personalities, medics, members of different associations /society/ countries.
The main theme to be addressed on the 2nd October will be animal rights.
Guest of honour Tom Regan, one of the leaders of the Animal Freedom movement, will amongst other things, present his latest book "Empty Cages" due to be published in September here in Italy by Sonda.
Alongside Regan will be Massimo Filippi, editor of the Italian version of his new book
"Gabbie Vuote", Stefano Cagno meeting coordinator, Silvia Amodio who will present the splendid film "Animalità", Marina Berati author of the book "How to become Vegan in 10 simple steps", Hiren Cara director of the educational centre for Animal Rights - Bombay Beauty Without Cruelty and Gianluca Felicetti , in charge of public relations for the LAV.
On the 3rd October Gianni Tamino will coordinate the meeting "Sustainable Vegetarianism" at which journalists Marinella Correggia and Roberto Pinton will be present together with environmental philosopher Luciano Valle and Paul Turner, director of the voluntary organization "Food for life."
The 5th October will be entirely dedicated to health issues.
An open meeting has been arranged for the morning which a number of medics will attend (Riccardo Trespidi, Luciana Baroni, Ottavio Bosello, Michela De Petris, George Guimaraes, Leonardo Pinelli, Luciano Proietti and Gene Spiller).
In the afternoon a "round table" event will be held exclusively for medics, dieticians and journalists where they will have the chance to exchange ideas and propose new strategies for the application of the plant-based diet in the field of preventative medicine.
Participating medics will attain credit from the ECM section of the Ministry of Health.
The 6th October is the conclusive day of the event dedicated to Vegetarian Culture, the debate will be animated by Red Ronnie and will address a number of topics from "Think Vegetarian: the roots of choice based upon non-violence" (Luciano Capitini, Mao Valpiana) to "Being Vegetarian: from emotions to actions" with the presentation of different campaigns and vegetarian movements in Italy and worldwide (Isaac Obiora Dikeocha e Cristina Romieri, Carmen Somaschi ).
The program of events is still under definition, for further information you can visit the website: http://www.vegetarianet.com
The congress, promoted by the EVU - European Vegetarian Union
www.european-vegetarian.org and organized by the AVI - Italian Vegetarian Association www.vegetariani.it, will be held in Riccione at the congress centre
Hotel Le Conchiglie between 1st and 7th October 2005.
