The Action for Animals Community Forum brings together SEQ animal advocates for a day of interactive talks and workshops that inspire hope, creativity and strategic action for animals.
With a grassroots philosophy at its core, this is an event organised by and for activists in and around Magandjin (Brisbane), designed to be accessible to anyone who wants to make the world better for animals.
We have amazing people right here in our backyard from across the movement, and the forum provides an inclusive space to exchange ideas, build our capacity and grow our collective impact.
There have been three iterations since 2019, each time building on what we’ve learnt to keep improving the experience, and growing the attendance each year. Explore the past forums below, and if you’d like to get involved in making the next one happen, or discuss setting up something similar in your city, please get in touch!
Past Forums
The idea
In some years, Australia has the fantastic Animal Rights Forum. Anyone who has attended one will understand how inspiring they are. It’s not just the sessions, but the chance to connect in person with other activists across the movement.
We thought that having a low-key event in Magandjin/Brisbane would be a great supplement to this – one which doesn’t require such extensive organising or cost: a conference by the people, for the people ... for the animals.
In years when there is a national forum, local attendees report back – sharing highlights, resources and speakers they discovered, enabling the national conversation to extend further.
The forum approach
The forum part of the name is important. This is not an event where people are talked at from on high. The aim is to encourage dialogue and exchange – in the belief that we all have something to contribute, that conversations are the best way to inspire, educate and motivate each other, and that the sum of us is greater than the individual parts.
Ultimately, the forum aims to provide a supportive space for connection and learning among people who want to make the world a better place for animals. What happens in that space is largely up to all of us together, and each of us shares responsibility for the experience of others who attend.