World Conference 2025 Marrakech, Morocco
Politics with Purpose – Navigating for CHANGE
The Animal Politics Foundation is overjoyed with our Animal Politics World Conference 2025 succes! This year’s theme was: Politics with Purpose – Navigating for CHANGE
Why does this theme matter?
Every nation faces unique dynamics when it comes to animals, politics, and society—and it’s vital that we chart a new course with compassion, strategy, and inclusive action. Our gathering at the World Conference in Marrakech, Morocco, is to fuel that change, bringing together voices from political parties, activist movements, and creative thinkers—all united by a shared belief: that better politics can transform our world.
We are pleased that 50+ delegates from 20 different countries gathered to share knowledge, inspiration and stronger connections. From Albania, Ukraïne, Libanon, Tunesia, Turkey and Morocco participants joined our World Conference. We are also proud we had our first participant from Ecuador. It is a clear sign that our international movement is growing and getting stronger: with compassion!
Opening of the conference
The conference started on Friday the 7th of November with a network moment. Chair of the Animal Politics Foundation, Andreas Ligtvoet, opened the conference with a welcome speech. He welcomed all the participants and wished everyone a great educational weekend.
Andreas Ligtvoet: chair of the Animal Politics Foundation.
After the opening, all participants shared a network moment with amazing vegan finger-food.
A great opportunity for networking!
Key-note speaker: Marianne Thieme
Marianne Thieme - co founder Party for the Animals the Netherlands.
If Marianne Thieme sets her mind to something, it will happen. In October 2002 she co-founded, together with four others, the Dutch Party for the Animals: the first political party in the world to place the planet and all its inhabitants, human and non-human, at the centre of politics. For seventeen years she served as the party’s political leader, guiding what has become a highly successful new political movement.
At our World Conference Marianne gave the keynote lecture Rising Resistance.
She spoke with passion about why she co-founded a Party for the Animals, the reactions and opposition she encountered, the strategies and successes of the movement, and the difference between influence and power. She reflected on the contrast between politics of feasibility and politics of possibility and shared what it takes to hold on to our ideals as a person and as an organisation, how to inspire others to join, and how to keep courage alive in the long run.
Lecture: Rising Resistance.
After the lecture she held an interactive workshop. In this workshop all explored how to gain influence on policy, how to remain visible for politicians and the public, and how to stay true to their ideals. Through practical exercises the participants experienced three key insights – the activist mindset, the power of expressive politics, and the strength of non-negotiable principles – and translated them into own strategies for change.
Start of the workshop.
Interaction with the participants from all over the world.
Presentation of outcome workshop by Cristina Garcia Salazar from PACMA, Spain.
Presentation of outcome workshop by Inẽs Sousa Real from PAN, Portugal.
The Animal Politics Foundation is very proud that Marianne Thieme gave such an inspiring lecture and workshop.
Her legend within the Animal Party movement reaches throughout the world.
Lecture Marianne Thieme.
Workshop Lowlanderproject
Job van den Assem - Lowlanderproject
Job van den Assem is a Dutch movement-builder and organizer with over two decades of experience in activism and community work. His journey began with environmental and animal welfare protests and later expanded to building sustainable and inclusive communities, organizing youth camps, and leading campaigns for a just and sustainable society.
In 2020, together with Sandra Ball, he co-founded The Lowlander Project. Inspired by the legacy of the Highlander Folk School in the United States, this initiative brings the art of organizing, leadership development, and movement-building to the Netherlands. The Lowlander Project helps progressive movements, organizations, political parties and individuals strengthen their capacity to create social change.
Workshop: Rethinking your leadership to build a movement by Job van den Assem.
Job started with the workshop: Rethinking your leadership to build a movement. Where they immediately jumped in 'Who am I: Training for movement building strategies'. And continued with 'A (political) movement can be strategized & organized'. The question arised: How to put people at the centre of your strategy? Participants were asked to reflect on their own leadership.
Participant during the workshop.
Job van den Assem in action!
After a short break the group started with the World Cafe: Looking for a more engaged membership. The group jumped in the question: What's your ladder of engagement? And continued with activities that build power and activities that builds your movement structure.
Interactive World Cafe session.
Participants working in groups.
Presentation of one of the groups: Maya Kawas - Lebanese Vegans & AlNadha.
The Animal Politics Foundation thanks the Lowlanderproject Job van den Assem and his co-worker Pritha Belle for being such an inspiration at our World Conference. Our participants now have much more knowledge in leadership and engaged membership.
End of the session Lowlanderproject showing the book: People, Power, Change by Marshall Ganz.
Speaker Dr. Ahmed Tazi – Professor and Member ADAN
Dr. Ahmed Tazi
Our last speaker of the conference was Dr. Ahmed Tazi – Professor and Member ADAN. Dr. Ahmed Tazi is a university professor. With a PhD in literature, he has dedicated his academic career to teaching and sharing knowledge about Arabic language, history, and the cultural values that shape societies. Alongside his academic work, Dr. Tazi is deeply engaged in animal welfare and environmental protection. He is an active member of ADAN (Association for the Defense of Animals and Nature), the first Moroccan animal structure in Morocco, since 2004, through which he works to promote awareness of the importance of animals in Islamic culture and heritage. His efforts highlight the moral and spiritual responsibility of caring for animals, as reflected in religious and cultural traditions. Dr. Ahmed Tazi gave an inspring lecture on his work in Morocco. He also introduced Mr. Yosr Tazi - president of the Abdelhadi Tazi Foundation and Talent Promoter.
Mr. Yosr Tazi
Field trip to
Rescued donkey at the sanctuary.