Training, Inspiration & Networking event 2026
Compassion in action: the Dutch Political Experience. How animals enter the Parliament.
It is with great joy that the Animal Politics Foundation have started their new Training, Inspiration & Networking Event 2026. Bringing the Dutch Animal Political Experience: a journey through the Netherlands & Brussels.
The tour started from the 13th of April till the 17th where a special delegation shared experiences, ideas and strategies to help bring animal protection into the heart of political decision-making in their countries.
Let's first introduce our special delegation:
PACMA - from Spain
AlNadha - from Libanon
ADAN - from Morocco
HAKIM - from Turkey
PACMA is Spain’s leading animal rights political party, advocating for stronger legal protection of animals and the end of practices such as bullfighting and hunting. They combine political and legal action with public awareness to drive systemic change.
AlNadha is a reform-driven movement in Lebanon that includes animal welfare as part of a broader vision for a more just and compassionate society. They advocate for the ethical treatment of animals alongside social and political progress.
ADAN works to improve the welfare of animals in Morocco through rescue, education, and advocacy. They focus on humane solutions for street animals and raising awareness about animal rights in society.
HAKIM is a political movement in Turkey dedicated to defending animal rights and promoting coexistence. They work to influence policy and challenge practices that harm animals, aiming for long-term legislative change.
Day one of the Training, Inspiration & Networking event
We kicked off our event in Amsterdam at the Victoria Plaza Hotel, where the chair of the Animal Politics Foundation, Andreas Ligtvoet, gave a presentation on the development of the Dutch Party for the Animals.
Chair of Board Animal Politics, Andreas Ligtvoet, gives a presentation about the Party for the Animals
After the presentation, we visited the director of the Party for the Animals: Lieke Keller. Through an extensive Q&A, participants were able to ask all questions relevant to their own party or organization.
Director Lieke Keller (in the middle) at the office of the Party for the Animals
The afternoon program was provided by the campaign agency BKB. They specialize in campaign training for political parties and helped the Party for the Animals with its national campaign in 2025. This afternoon, participants were able to learn more about how successful election campaigns are set up.
The BKB team giving a presentation.
Ended the session with a group picture with the team of BKB.
The day ended with some beautiful vegan food at SOIL Vegan Cafe in Amsterdam.
SOIL Vegan Cafe Amsterdam
Day two of the Training, Inspiration & Networking event
This second day of the tour through the Netherlands brought us to the city of Zwolle. Here we met Debbie Mathijsen, faction leader of the Party for the Animals in Zwolle. Debbie has many years of experience in municipal politics and has achieved a great deal for the Party for the Animals, such as a fireworks ban in Zwolle. Her perseverance inspired the participants. Debbie shared her work with the participants today and gave them a tour of Zwolle, during which, of course, there was once again some wonderful plant-based food to enjoy.
Welcome to the City Council in Zwolle!
The participants with Debbie Mathijsen, faction leader Party for the Animals Zwolle (in the middle).
Great vegan food!
Day three of the Training, Inspiration & Networking event
Day three was a very special day, as the participants traveled to Brussels. To the European Parliament!
In front of the European Parliament in Brussels.
After a tour of the parliament and seeing the plenary hall, the group met MEPs Anja Hazekamp (Party for the Animals) and Sebastian Everding (Tierschutzpartei). Two true animal heroes in the European Parliament who fight weekly for a more animal-friendly Europe. After an inspiring presentation of their work and a Q&A session, the group was naturally happy to have their picture taken with them. New connections were made this afternoon!
Anja Hazekamp and Sebastian Everding giving their presentation: such a great team together!
Group picture with Anja Hazekamp and Sebastian Everding in front of the entrance of the European Parlement.
Short video of the trip to the European Parliament.
Day four of the Training, Inspiration & Networking event
On the final day of our Inspiration and Networking Event, the delegation visited the parliamentary group of the Party for the Animals in The Hague. Here, MP Ines Kostic gave a presentation on the work of the MPs and the successes of the Party for the Animals in the Netherlands.
MEP Ines Kostic of the Party for the Animals.
After the presentation, the group was allowed to tour the plenary hall, and MEP Christine Teunissen of the Party for the Animals also stopped by. After an extensive question-and-answer session and a concluding photo, the day and this special week came to an end.
Final group picture!
On behalf of the Animal Politics Foundation, we thank all attendees and everyone who contributed to the success of this event. It is incredibly important that we anchor animal welfare in democracies worldwide. Our delegation from Lebanon, Morocco, Spain, and Turkey gained a wealth of inspiration to get back to work with full force.
Stronger together!
Party for the Animals - how animals enter the Parliament.