AfA’s 25th Anniversary Blog

Twenty-five years ago, a small group of dedicated activists banded together to bring the world's attention to the plight of animals across Asia. Activists that were already busy tackling issues of animal suffering within their own regions, taking valuable time out to share their experiences, discuss successful strategies and in the process develop bonds to strengthen their individual actions.

This first ever gathering in Manila, initiated in 2000 and delivered in 2001, was the inaugural meeting of what is today “The Asia for Animals Coalition”, a network boasting over 400 members strong, working within the original remit of its founders, to network and support each other to deliver programs that improve the lives of animals across Asia.

The 25 years in-between have seen numerous successful gatherings in Singapore, Indonesia, China, Malaysia, India and more recently in Taipei, as well as online forums; each with the same focus to build support and help us move towards ending animal suffering and supporting community efforts to raise awareness of animal welfare issues.

I am honored to have been a part of this journey since my first AfA Conference in Hong Kong in 2003, and, after attending each AfA gathering ever since, I have been witness to the growth of the network and its importance as a tool for Asian animal advocates.

I am also privileged to have seen the AfA Coalition grow beyond the Conferences. Planting the seeds of growth in Chengdu, China in 2011, I had the desire to create an organisation that continues to work in-between the conferences to fulfill the needs of its members and support animals all year round.

Due to the strength of the network members, and the leadership of inspirational people, these seeds were nurtured and have now developed into a fully functioning organisation with a collaborative work program tackling issues as diverse as the plight of macaques in entertainment to the welfare of farmed animals. An organisation that continues to bring people together from across the region, and guides and supports the growth of new organisations to ensure they are best placed to achieve success within their chosen area of interest.

From those handful of activists in 2000, AfA is now a team of 19 employees supporting the work of over 400 animal protection organizations and representing the interests and the viewpoints of animal advocates in Asia and beyond at global animal protection gatherings. But most importantly, AfA is a strong and effective voice for the animals of Asia.

In this 25th year of operation, we will take a moment to celebrate all that we have achieved as a collaborative network and then we will all once again get our heads together just as we did back in 2000, to discuss how we will continue to do more for the animals in the Asia region that rely upon us to be their voice.

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Dave Neale, Chair of the Asia for Animals Coalition and Global Director of Animal Sentience & Welfare at Animals Asia Foundation