Protecting Bears, Building Bridges
An unforgettable gathering
Animal Politics Foundation Regional Conference 2026 | Brașov, Romania
Three days of connection, knowledge and action — bringing together animal advocates, political representatives and experts from across Europe to build a stronger future for animals.
In partnership with NOA Romania
This conference was organised by the Animal Politics Foundation in close collaboration with our Romanian sister party, NOA – Nature, People and Animals.
As part of the international Party for the Animals movement, NOA works to bring the protection of nature, animals and people into Romanian politics. Their local knowledge, network and commitment were invaluable in bringing this conference to life.
A heartfelt thank you to the entire NOA team for being such wonderful partners and hosts.
On Friday 16 October, around 50 animal advocates, political representatives and experts from across Europe and beyond arrived in Brașov, Romania, for the Animal Politics Foundation Regional Conference 2026.
The conference began with an informal welcome and networking gathering at Wolkendorf Bio Hotel — a chance to reconnect with familiar faces, welcome new members of our international network and meet the people with whom we would spend the coming days exchanging knowledge, experiences and ideas.
Eva van Esch, board member of the Animal Politics Foundation, officially opened the conference and welcomed all participants to Romania. Her words marked the beginning of a weekend centred around two urgent animal welfare challenges: protecting Romania’s bears and improving the lives of stray animals — while strengthening the international cooperation needed to create lasting political change.
Board member Animal Politics Foundation Eva van Esch opening our network moment
Connecting across borders
Participants travelled to Romania from countries including Spain, Turkey, Belgium, Germany, Ukraine, Moldova, Albania, Lebanon, Morocco, Portugal, Serbia and the Netherlands, alongside our Romanian hosts and partners.
Manager Animal Politics Marjolijn Veenstra welcoming our guests
The opening evening was deliberately all about connection. Over drinks and a fully plant-based selection of food, participants had time to meet, exchange experiences and discover just how many challenges — and ambitions — we share across borders.
And throughout the entire conference, all food served was 100% plant-based — because putting animal protection into practice also means leading by example.
These informal conversations are an essential part of every Animal Politics Foundation conference. Bringing people together does more than expand a network: it creates new collaborations, allows successful ideas to travel from one country to another and strengthens an international movement working to give animals a stronger political voice.
Connecting together
Day 2 – Protecting Bears
Saturday morning marked the official start of the conference programme. Conference chair Eva van Esch welcomed participants back and introduced the central theme of the day: the protection of Romania’s brown bears and the search for humane, effective ways to improve coexistence between bears and people.
Eva van Esch conference chair opens day 1 of the conference
Before heading to the Libearty Bear Sanctuary, Paula Ciotlos of the Millions of Friends Association introduced participants to the sanctuary and its work. She shared the stories behind Libearty, the bears it has rescued over the years, and the reality faced by bears that have suffered through captivity, exploitation and inadequate living conditions.
Paula Ciotlos introduces Libearty and the rescued bears at the heart of its work
Her introduction provided an important context for what followed: seeing the sanctuary, meeting the people behind its work and, most importantly, witnessing first-hand what a second chance can mean for rescued bears.
Participant listening
A Visit to Libearty Bear Sanctuary
Libearty Bear Sanctuary
Following the morning introduction, participants travelled together to the Libearty Bear Sanctuary in Zărnești, where the realities behind Romania’s rescued bears became tangible.
Walking around the Bear Sanctuary
Founded by Cristina Lapis and run by the Millions of Friends Association, Libearty offers a safe haven to bears that have spent years — and sometimes decades — in captivity. During our visit, Cristina personally guided the group through the sanctuary and shared the stories of the bears, the circumstances from which they had been rescued and the long journey towards giving them a life with space, dignity and care.
Libearty founder Cristina Lapis shares the stories behind the sanctuary and her decades-long commitment to protecting bears
One of the most confronting reminders of that past was a small cage preserved at the sanctuary. It represents the conditions in which some bears were once kept for human entertainment — a stark contrast to the forested surroundings they can now explore at Libearty.
A stark reminder of the past: a cage like those in which bears were once kept for human entertainment, preserved at Libearty to ensure their suffering is not forgotten.
Walking through the sanctuary and seeing the bears up close made the purpose of our conference impossible to reduce to policy papers or statistics. Behind every discussion about legislation, coexistence and protection are individual animals whose lives are directly affected by the choices humans make.
From captivity to freedom — a second chance to simply be a bear
The visit ended with a small gesture of gratitude. On behalf of the Animal Politics Foundation, we presented Cristina with our own APF teddy bear — a symbolic thank-you for her decades of dedication to bears and for welcoming our international network to Libearty.
APF presents Cristina Lapis with our own APF teddy bear — a small token of gratitude for her lifelong dedication to protecting bears
The experience provided a powerful starting point for the discussions that followed later that day: how can we move from rescuing individual bears to creating a future in which bears are protected before they ever need rescuing?
From Experience to Action
After returning from Libearty, the conference moved from first-hand experience to the legal, scientific and practical questions surrounding bear protection and human–bear coexistence.
Throughout the afternoon, experts approached the issue from different perspectives, with each presentation followed by an open Q&A. This gave participants the opportunity not only to listen, but to challenge ideas, ask questions and connect the expertise in the room with experiences from their own countries.
The speakers of the day: Arie Trouwborst, Csaba Domokos and Leonardo ....
Arie Trouwborst – Protecting Bears Through International Law
The first speaker of the afternoon was Professor Arie Trouwborst, an expert in international and European wildlife law at Tilburg University.
His presentation explored the legal framework surrounding the protection and management of brown bears in Europe, and the obligations that follow from international and European nature conservation law. Against the backdrop of increasing debate around human–bear conflicts, his contribution helped clarify what governments can — and cannot — do when managing protected wildlife.
Why Should Wild Animals Have Rights of Their Own? | Prof. Arie Trouwborst
Prof. Arie Trouwborst takes us into the legal side of bear protection — and the role of international law in building a future for coexistence
The presentation sparked an engaged Q&A, opening a wider discussion on how legal protection, public safety and coexistence can be brought together without losing sight of the fundamental objective: the long-term protection of bears.
From law to practice: participants raise questions and share perspectives during the Q&A with Arie Trouwborst
Csaba Domokos – Understanding bears on the ground
Next up was Csaba Domokos of Milvus Group, bringing the perspective from the field. Drawing on years of research and hands-on experience with brown bears in Romania, Csaba shared insights into bear behaviour, human–bear coexistence and the realities behind conflicts between bears and people.
His presentation highlighted the importance of science-based solutions: understanding why conflicts occur, preventing them wherever possible, and ensuring that wildlife management protects both bears and communities.
Living With Bears: What Science Tells Us | Csaba Domokos
Csaba Domokos of Milvus Group shares insights from years of fieldwork with brown bears in Romania
Csaba’s presentation sparked an engaging Q&A, with participants exchanging questions and perspectives on bear behaviour, coexistence and effective conflict prevention
Closing the afternoon’s speaker programme was Leonardo Bereczky, founder of the Bear Again Rehabilitation Center for Orphan Bears.
Drawing on decades of hands-on experience, Leonardo shared his remarkable work rehabilitating orphaned bear cubs and preparing them for a return to life in the wild. His presentation offered a unique perspective on what young bears need to develop their natural behaviour while keeping human contact to an absolute minimum.
His work is a powerful reminder that, with the right knowledge and approach, rescued wild animals can be given something invaluable: a genuine second chance at a life in the wild.
From Orphan to Wild Bear: The Journey Back to Freedom | Leonardo Bereczky
Leonardo Bereczky shares his decades of experience rehabilitating orphaned bear cubs for a return to the wild
The final Q&A brought the afternoon’s perspectives together, with participants reflecting on rehabilitation, coexistence and how knowledge from the field can be translated into better protection for bears
From dialogue to commitment
The day concluded with the signing of our Manifesto for Bear Protection & Coexistence. Bringing together the insights shared throughout the day, the manifesto calls for a future in which coexistence, prevention and science take precedence over persecution and killing.
Participants were invited to add their signatures — turning a day of knowledge, discussion and exchange into a shared commitment to better protection for bears.
Signing the Manifesto for Bear Protection & Coexistence — turning shared ideas into shared commitment
One manifesto, many voices — united for the protection of bears
By the end of the day, the manifesto carried signatures from participants across countries, organisations and areas of expertise — a visible reminder that protecting bears requires cooperation across borders.
Protecting bears. Building bridges.
The signed Manifesto for Bear Protection & Coexistence — a shared commitment to coexistence, prevention and protection
Stronger together
A powerful day of learning, honest conversations and new connections came to an end — united by a shared determination to create a future in which bears are protected and coexistence is possible.
Thank you to everyone who brought their knowledge, experience and commitment to the table.
Protecting bears. Building bridges. Together.
Different countries, different perspectives, one shared purpose: a better future for bears and wildlife
Day 3 – Stray Animals
Our final conference day shifted the focus from bears to another urgent animal welfare challenge in Romania: the protection of stray animals.
Bringing together expertise from animal welfare organisations, local authorities and hands-on practice, the morning programme explored how collaboration, effective policies and practical solutions can create lasting change for animals.
Hilde Tudora, Victor Gavril and Karen Soeters opened the programme, each bringing a different perspective — but a shared determination to turn compassion into action.
Hilde Tudora, Victor Gavril and Karen Soeters — bringing together different perspectives for one shared goal: better protection for stray animals
Day 3 was opened by Lucian Rad, President of NOA, who took on the role of chair for the final day of the conference.
Welcoming participants back for a new day of exchange, Lucian introduced the programme and set the stage for a morning dedicated to stray animal protection — bringing together practical experience, policy and advocacy.
Lucian Rad, President of NOA, opening Day 3 and guiding us through the final day of the conference
Victor Gavril – Speranța Shelter
Opening the programme on stray animal protection, Victor Gavril shared his experience from Speranța Shelter and the realities of caring for and protecting stray animals in Romania.
His contribution brought the discussion straight to the heart of the issue: what happens on the ground, every single day, and what is needed to create lasting change for stray animals.
Victor Gavril sharing his experience from Speranța Shelter and the realities of protecting stray animals in Romania
Romania’s Stray Animal Crisis: What Needs to Change? | Victor Gavril
Karen Soeters – House of Animals
Next, Karen Soeters, founder of House of Animals, took the stage to share how investigation, exposure and advocacy can drive real change for animals.
Drawing on the work of House of Animals, Karen showed how uncovering animal suffering is only the beginning: evidence must be brought into the public eye, translated into action and used to push for stronger protection.
Her message was clear: seeing injustice creates a responsibility to act.
Karen Soeters, founder of House of Animals, sharing how investigation and advocacy can turn evidence of animal suffering into action
Hilde Tudora – Animal Protection, Ilfov County
Our final speaker, Hilde Tudora, brought the discussion firmly into practice, sharing her experience in transforming the way stray animals are protected and managed in Ilfov County, Romania.
Hilde showed how determined local leadership, collaboration and humane policies can replace outdated approaches and create lasting change for animals and communities alike.
Her work is a powerful example of what becomes possible when compassion is turned into policy — and policy into action.
Hilde Tudora sharing her hands-on experience of creating lasting change for stray animals in Ilfov County
During her session, Hilde also invited her colleague Anca Ena to share her perspective and experience from their work in Ilfov County.
It was a valuable addition to the presentation, offering another glimpse into the people and teamwork behind their efforts to improve the lives of stray animals.
Hilde Tudora with her colleague Anca Ena, who joined the session to share her perspective from their work in Ilfov County
From dialogue to commitment
The conference sessions concluded with the signing of the Manifesto for a Humane Stray Animal Policy — turning three days of knowledge-sharing, discussion and collaboration into a shared commitment for change.
The manifesto calls for humane, effective and long-term approaches to stray animal management, including prevention, sterilisation, responsible ownership, education and cooperation between authorities and civil society.
By signing together, participants reaffirmed a simple but important principle: lasting solutions must always put animal welfare first.
Signing the Manifesto for a Humane Stray Animal Policy — a shared commitment to lasting, compassionate solutions for stray animals
Stronger together
Three days of learning, sharing, challenging ideas and building new connections came to an end — but the work continues.
We leave Brașov with new knowledge, new friendships and two shared manifestos, united by the belief that meaningful change for animals is possible when we work together across borders, organisations and disciplines.
Thank you to everyone who brought their knowledge, passion and energy to these three unforgettable days. Together, we are stronger for animals.
One final moment together — united across borders and organisations by our shared commitment to animals
A final word
Looking back on these days in Romania, I feel incredibly grateful.
Bringing together people from different countries, organisations and backgrounds — united by the determination to create a better world for animals — is at the heart of what the Animal Politics Foundation stands for.
My heartfelt thanks to everyone who travelled to Brașov, shared their knowledge, connected and contributed so openly. These days reminded me once again how powerful our international movement can be when we work together.
I leave Romania with new ideas, new connections and renewed determination.
Let’s keep building bridges. For animals, for our planet, and for the future we share.
Marjolijn Veenstra
Manager, Animal Politics Foundation
Marjolijn Veenstra, Manager of Animal Politics Foundation, together with Karen Soeters, founder of House of Animals — united by a shared commitment to creating a better world for animals