International Vegetarian Union facts for kids
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| Abbreviation | IVU |
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| Predecessor | Vegetarian Federal Union |
| Formation | 1908 |
| Founded at | Dresden, Germany |
| Type | Nonprofit |
| Purpose | Promotion of vegetarianism |
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Region
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Worldwide |
The International Vegetarian Union (IVU) is a global group that helps promote vegetarianism. It is a non-profit organization, meaning it doesn't aim to make money. The IVU started in 1908 in Dresden, Germany.
It acts like a main organization for many smaller vegetarian groups around the world. The IVU often organizes big meetings called World and Regional Vegetarian Congresses. These events happen every two years.
What the IVU Does
The IVU is run by its International Council. The people on this council are volunteers. They are chosen by member groups at the World Vegetarian Congress meetings.
Groups that join the IVU can be large continental organizations, like the European Vegetarian Union. They can also be smaller local groups. All these groups work to promote vegetarian living.
In 1957, the 5th World Vegetarian Congress was held in India. Historians say this meeting helped bring together different ideas about vegetarianism from India and other countries.
The IVU also encourages local groups to hold vegetarian festivals. For example, the 43rd World VegFest happened in Sydney and Melbourne, Australia, in 2015. Hundreds of other vegetarian festivals are held worldwide.
A big event for the vegetarian movement in the United States was the IVU's 1975 World Vegetarian Congress. It took place in Orono, Maine. This meeting led to the creation of the North American Vegetarian Society in 1974.
Famous People Connected to IVU
Many notable people have been involved with the International Vegetarian Union. Some of them include:
- Rukmini Devi Arundale
- Bertrand P. Allinson
- Maurice Beddow Bayly
- H. Jay Dinshah
- Alex Hershaft
- Roberta Kalechofsky
- Gordon Latto
- Howard Lyman
- Johan Lindström Saxon
- Henry Bailey Stevens
- Alan Stoddard
Regional Vegetarian Groups
The IVU works with many regional vegetarian organizations. These groups focus on promoting vegetarianism in specific parts of the world. Some of these regional groups are:
- Asian Pacific Vegan Union (APVU) (formerly Asia Pacific Vegetarian Union)
- European Vegetarian Union (started in 1988)
- Vegetarian Union of North America (this group followed earlier American vegetarian unions)
- South American Vegetarian Union
- Southeast Asian Vegetarian Union
See also
In Spanish: Unión Vegetariana Internacional para niños
- List of vegetarian festivals
- List of vegetarian organizations
- Vegetarianism by country
- People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals
