International Vegetarian Union facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
International Vegetarian Union

Abbreviation	IVU
Predecessor	Vegetarian Federal Union
Formation	1908; 117 years ago (1908)
Founder	Georges Danjou
Founded at	Dresden, Germany
Type	Nonprofit
Purpose	Promotion of vegetarianism
Region	Worldwide
Chairman of the International Council	Marly Winckler

The International Vegetarian Union (IVU) is a group that works all over the world. Its main goal is to encourage people to eat a vegetarian diet. This means eating foods that come from plants, like fruits, vegetables, grains, and beans, and avoiding meat. The IVU was started in 1908 in a city called Dresden, in Germany.

What is the IVU?

The IVU is like a big team of many smaller groups from different countries. These smaller groups all work to promote vegetarianism. The IVU often organizes big meetings called World and Regional Vegetarian Congresses. These big events happen every two years, switching between world and regional meetings.

How the IVU Started

In 1907, a group called the British Vegetarian Society had a special celebration. They invited leaders from other vegetarian groups around the world. At this meeting, a person named Dr. Danjou from the French Vegetarian Society suggested creating a new international group.

A year later, in 1908, many vegetarian societies met in Dresden, Germany. This is where the International Vegetarian Union (IVU) was officially formed. Groups from Germany, Britain, and the Netherlands were there. They also had support from 14 other countries.

IVU's Journey Through Time

People at the first World Vegetarian Congress in 1908.

The IVU is guided by a group called the International Council. This council has eight members who are elected to serve for four years. Each person on the council must be vegetarian. They also need to hold a position in one of the IVU's member organizations.

Member organizations can be large groups that cover a whole continent. They can also be smaller local groups. All these groups share the main goal of promoting vegetarianism. They also support people who choose to live a vegetarian lifestyle.

In 1926, the 6th World Vegetarian Congress was held in London. At this meeting, they showed off many interesting items. These included vegetarian boots, furs, gloves, and even violin strings. All these items were made without any animal products. During this congress, everyone agreed that groups allowing fish consumption could not be members.

The 15th World Vegetarian Congress took place in India in 1957. This event was important because it brought together different ideas about vegetarianism.

The IVU also helps local and national groups organize vegetarian festivals. For example, the 43rd World VegFest happened in Sydney and Melbourne, Australia, in 2015. There are hundreds of vegetarian festivals held on many continents today.

A big event for the vegetarian movement in the United States was the 1975 World Vegetarian Congress. It was held in Orono, Maine. This meeting led to the creation of the North American Vegetarian Society in 1974.

In 1999, the IVU changed its leadership structure. The role of "president" was removed. It was replaced by a "Chairman of the International Council." As of 2025, Marly Winckler is the current Chair of the IVU.

Important People in IVU

Leaders of the IVU

Well-Known Members

Groups Around the World

• Asian Pacific Vegan Union (APVU)
• European Vegetarian Union (started in 1988)
• Vegetarian Union of North America
• South American Vegetarian Union
• Southeast Asian Vegetarian Union

See also

In Spanish: Unión Vegetariana Internacional para niños

• List of vegetarian festivals
• List of vegetarian and vegan organizations
• Vegetarianism by country
• People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals