Tobias Leenaert
Tobias Leenaert | |
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![]() Leenaert in 2014 | |
Born | Ghent, Belgium | 3 August 1973
Alma mater | Ghent University |
Occupations |
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Known for | Animal rights and veganism activism |
Notable work | How to Create a Vegan World: A Pragmatic Approach |
Website | tobiasleenaert.be |
Tobias Leenaert (Dutch: [ˈtoːbijɑs ˈleːnɑrt]; born 3 August 1973) is a Belgian animal rights and veganism activist, author, and educator. He promotes a pragmatic approach to activism. Leenaert has co-founded vegan and vegetarian advocacy organizations, including the Center for Effective Vegan Advocacy, ProVeg International and Ethical Vegetarian Alternative. He authored the book How to Create a Vegan World: A Pragmatic Approach in 2017 and writes the blog The Vegan Strategist.
Early life and education
Tobias Leenaert was born in Ghent, Belgium[1] on 3 August 1973.[2] He speaks Dutch and English.[3] Leenaert studied German studies at Ghent University.[1]
Activism
In 2000, Leenaert co-founded Ethical Vegetarian Alternative (EVA), in Flanders, which he led until 2015.[1] He is the originator of Thursday Veggie Day in Ghent,[4] which was launched in 2009.[5] Leenaert is also the co-founder of the Center for Effective Vegan Advocacy, with Melanie Joy,[6] as well as ProVeg International.[7]
Leenaert advocates for a pragmatic approach to vegan activism, which doesn't rely on solely moral arguments.[8] In 2017, he published the book How to Create a Vegan World: A Pragmatic Approach. He also writes the blog The Vegan Strategist.[9] Leenaert's methods of advocacy has drawn criticism from abolitionist animal rights advocates, such as Roger Yates.[9]
Leenaert gives lectures and workshops on vegan advocacy around the world.[10][11] He has also written and spoken about wild-animal suffering, which he considers as important as the suffering of domesticated animals.[12][13]
Personal life
Leenaert lives in Ghent with his partner, seven cats and two dogs.[14] He identifies as an effective altruist.[15]
References
- ^ a b c Desmet, Lieven (2021-08-25). "'De kip is het meest mishandelde dier op deze planeet'" ['The chicken is the most abused animal on this planet']. De Morgen (in Flemish). Retrieved 2024-07-17.
- ^ "Interview Tobias Leenaert. 'Tegen radicale veganisten zeg ik: wees niet zo'n eikel'" [Interview Tobias Leenaert. "To radical vegans I say don't be such a jerk"]. Gemeente voor de Toekomst (in Dutch). 2017-08-25. Retrieved 2020-08-27.
- ^ "Tobias Leenaert". Expertendatabank. Retrieved 2025-01-28.
- ^ "Go veggie and change the world". The Bulletin. 2011-08-16. Retrieved 2020-08-27.
- ^ Harrell, Eben (2009-05-27). "Where's the Beef? Ghent Goes Vegetarian". Time. ISSN 0040-781X. Retrieved 2020-08-27.
- ^ Ahituv, Netta (2017-04-28). "Will Israel Become the World's First Vegan Country?". Haaretz. Retrieved 2020-08-27.
- ^ Dhont, Kristof; Hodson, Gordon, eds. (2019). Why We Love and Exploit Animals: Bridging Insights from Academia and Advocacy. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-351-18142-6.
- ^ Doctor, Vikram (2018-11-11). "How Vegans can win or lose in India". The Economic Times. Retrieved 2020-08-27.
- ^ a b Elliott, Tim (2019-07-06). "The brutal battle for the soul of veganism". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2020-08-27.
- ^ Ramírez, Dulce (2018-11-25). "Hacia un futuro vegano: hacer del veganismo un movimiento de masas" [Towards a vegan future: making veganism a mass movement]. SinEmbargo MX (in Spanish). Retrieved 2020-08-27.
- ^ "Dónde estamos y adónde nos dirigimos" [Where we are and where we are going]. El Diario (in Spanish). 2018-06-08. Retrieved 2020-08-27.
- ^ VeganKanal (September 7, 2019). "10 things I changed my mind about in 20 years of vegan activism - Tobias Leenaert [IARC 2019]". YouTube. Archived from the original on March 21, 2022. Retrieved March 22, 2022.
- ^ Leenaert, Tobias (June 1, 2016). "The extremely inconvenient truth of wild animal suffering". The Vegan Strategist. Archived from the original on May 8, 2021. Retrieved March 22, 2022.
- ^ "Tobias Leenaert". International Animal Rights Conference. Retrieved 2024-07-17.
- ^ Leenaert, Tobias. "About". The Vegan Strategist. Archived from the original on May 31, 2021. Retrieved March 22, 2022.