Who said talking about animal welfare has to be boring?

Animal Welfare for Everyone is the first official workshop by Voices for Animal Welfare (VFAW), a young, passionate NGO working to protect animals through education, advocacy, and community action. This event offers an interactive, welcoming space to explore the topics at the heart of our mission and learn more about how you can get involved.

Led by early-career professionals, each session is designed to be fun, dynamic, and open to everyone, no prior experience needed! Whether you’re curious, passionate, or considering joining our team one day, this is a perfect opportunity to connect with our community and values.

What You Will Learn During The Workshop

Introduction to Animal Welfare - Law and Science Foundations

Discover the essentials of animal welfare through the lens of law, science, with real-life examples, interactive games, and engaging videos. In this session, we’ll introduce our INGO and share our work in Tanzania and France, explain animal welfare from both a legal and scientific point of view, explore surprising protections for animals around the world, and reveal how animals think, feel, and form bonds.

Speakers

Vanessa Vichi - President and Founder at VfAW

Vanessa, President and Founder of Voices for Animal Welfare (VfAW), is a legal expert specializing in Animal Law. With extensive courtroom experience handling mistreatment and abuse cases, and years of volunteering for animal welfare associations in France and Africa, she brings a strong legal perspective to animal protection. Currently pursuing a PhD in Animal and International Law, Vanessa will introduce participants to the foundations of animal welfare law, surprising global protections, and how law plays a vital role in safeguarding animals.

Bjørn Lukas Pérez - Scientific Animal Welfare Coordinator at VfAW

Lukas, our Scientific Animal Welfare Coordinator, has a multidisciplinary background in geology, biology, and molecular sciences. Through his academic research and volunteer work with VfAW, including articles on animal welfare, Lukas brings the scientific lens to the session, exploring how animals think, feel, form bonds, and why animal welfare is scientifically measurable and crucial.

Introduction to Animal Photography and Animal Behavior

Learn how understanding animal behavior can transform the way you photograph pets. This session combines the basics of dog and cat body language with practical photography tips, helping you capture animals ethically and with empathy. Includes live examples, visuals, and a hands-on photo activity using your phone or camera.

Speakers

Flavio Galante - Photography Manager at VfAW

Flavio, our Photography Manager, brings professional experience from studio work, wildlife projects, and field photography. He will guide participants through the essentials of animal photography, helping them understand how to ethically capture pets and wildlife with empathy and skill, while respecting animals' emotional expressions and behaviors.

Kathrin Bockmühl - Biologist and Animal Behavior Specialist

Kathrin, a biologist specializing in canine rehabilitation and physiotherapy, integrates her deep understanding of dog and cat behavior into practical advice. Drawing from over a decade of experience at Germany’s International Academy for Nature Conservation and her fieldwork observing black bears in Minnesota, Kathrin will teach participants how to recognize key body language signals in animals, ensuring a compassionate and respectful approach when photographing them.

Introduction to African Culture with a Focus on Animal Welfare

Discover how deep-rooted cultural traditions in Africa shape relationships with animals and nature. In this interactive session, participants will explore the spiritual, traditional, and ethical connections between African communities and the animal world, with a special emphasis on cultures from Kenya and Tanzania, including the Luo, Kikuyu, and Maasai people. Learn basic Swahili phrases, hear real stories from East African communities, and join a fun Swahili quiz inspired by The Lion King!

Speakers

Festas Oduor - Communication Program Manager at VFAW

Festas, our Communication and Programs Manager, has a deep understanding of African traditions and communities, with personal experience from Kenya and Tanzania. As founder of the Kuumba Rodney Foundation and a professional in East African and Spanish programs, he brings rich cultural insight into how animals are perceived, respected, and incorporated into African spiritual and traditional practices.

Ken Otiti - Fundraising Manager at VfAW

Ken, our Fundraising Manager, brings a strong connection to East African cultures. With his experience in fundraising management and community engagement, he will highlight how cultural values influence the treatment of animals and how traditions from communities like the Luo, Kikuyu, and Maasai relate to modern concepts of animal welfare.

Introduction to Conservation and Wildlife Crime

Discover the richness of Tanzania’s ecosystems and the urgent challenges they face, from habitat loss to the illegal wildlife trade. In this interactive session, we’ll explore the meaning of conservation, learn about real cases of wildlife crime, and understand their impact on animals, communities, and the global environment. With games, myth busting, and a collaborative strategy activity, participants will be empowered to think critically about solutions and take action.

Speakers

Audrey Nury - Wildlife Crime Analyst

Audrey, a legal analyst specializing in transnational wildlife crime, brings hands-on experience investigating illegal wildlife trade across Africa. Having worked with organizations such as the Cheetah Conservation Fund and the Environmental Investigation Agency, Audrey will share real-life case studies and explain the global networks behind poaching and trafficking—and how they impact animals and communities.

Julien Brethiot - Biologist and Naturalist

Julien, a biologist and naturalist with experience across Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean, will introduce participants to Tanzania’s ecosystems, the threats they face, and practical conservation strategies. As Wildlife Program Director at the African Conservation Foundation, he combines scientific fieldwork with community engagement, offering inspiring examples of how local and global efforts can protect biodiversity.

This workshop isn’t a traditional conference. It’s a space for curious minds, future changemakers, and anyone who wants to connect with animals and with each other on a deeper level. It’s also a great opportunity to learn more about our NGO and, who knows, maybe even become a part of it!

Participation is completely free, but we warmly welcome small donations to support our rabies vaccination campaign in Tanzania, just 5 euros can fund one life-saving dose:

Come join us to learn, grow, and be part of a community that believes animal welfare is truly for everyone. Let’s give animals a voice together!