For the students who will make the future, we had several opportunities to have lectures at universities.

These lectures were about the planet earth, the animals including us human beings; about the connection between our eating habits and many of the challenges we are facing; and about how to live a plant-based or vegan lifestyle.

From now on, we would like to continue doing these sort of events, so if you are interested in hosting/organizing similar lectures or events,
please contact us at VegeProject.
The following is a report on the lectures held at the three universities in July.

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Chiba University of Commerce, @International Squar

On the 12th of July 2022, at the International Square of Chiba University of Commerce, VegeProject’s representative, Haruko Kawano, gave a lecture on the subject of “Plant-Based Lifestyle”.
The Chiba University of Commerce aimed to become the first University in Japan to use “100% renewable energy” and, through many innovative efforts, last year the
University’s performance surpassed the goal of 100%.
The university’s International Square is a place where students, together with the English-speaking staff members, can improve their English skills and participate in cross-cultural exchanges. Events and activities aiming to broaden ones world view and think globally are held on a regular basis.
This time, as part of the INTERNATIONAL WEEK program, VegeProject was called upon to give a lecture.

In the lecture, VegeProject’s representative first talked about how our food choices
are connected to many issues we face in our society today, including environmental changes, food scarcity, and territorial conflict; explained the connections between vegan choices and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); showed worldwide vegan market trends; and presented ways to introduce vegan food into our everyday lives.

After the lecture, students asked questions and gave their impressions:
“I would like to know your favorite vegan recipes.”
“I did not know that so many Japanese traditional ingredients are vegan. Previously, I felt that introducing vegan food into my everyday life would be a hurdle, but now, knowing about these traditional ingredients, I feel it will be easy.”

At the end, the students were able to take a look at familiar food which were certified vegan, such as snacks, boil-in-bag food, and soy meat used for cooking.

We would like to thank all the staff of Chiba University of Commerce who helped with the preparations for this lectures. We would also like to thank all the students and the staff who participated in the lecture.
We would be honored if this event allowed you to learn and think about how global social issues and our everyday food choices are connected.

Click here to see the press release from Chiba University of Commerce:
https://www.cuc.ac.jp/news/2022/mstsps000002nxtq.html

 

Osaka University, Toyonaka Campus University Assembly Hall

When we start talking about our new project about these vegan campaign events at universities, the firsts to give their names were the members from VegeProject Osaka University (VegePro Handai).

Currently, VegePro Handai comprises nine Osaka University students who volunteer to help introduce
vegan options to their university’s cafeterias. Examples of their activities include meetings with
cafeteria staff members and sharing vegan related information on social media.

On July 15th, at the lecture with VegePro Handai, we focused the discussion on environmental issues, and discussed the connection between our food choices and the environment.
Climate change, water and land pollution, the disappearance of tropical rain-forests, plastic pollution in
the ocean, the concrete influence or our everyday food choices, how can vegan and plant-based foods
help with these issues and how to introduce these foods in our everyday lives; these were all subjects
covered during the lecture.

During the lecture, students took notes and listened attentively, and during the Q&A session we received more questions and comments than we anticipated.
After the lecture, people who were interested in joining with VegePro Handai and people who were vegan and who needed help regarding their food choices, came to introduce themselves. We thoroughly felt the importance of having vegan menus in the university’s cafeterias.

Due to malfunctions with the online version of the event, it was decided that another online lecture would be held on the 4th of August. We are terribly sorry for the troubles these malfunctions may have caused to everyone who planned to participate online on the day of the original event. In the future, we will make sure to do all the necessary preparations.

Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University APU

On July 20th, at Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU), we gave a lecture titled “How to follow a plant-based lifestyle in Japan?”

Haruko Kawano, VegeProject’s representative, introduced the basics of the plant-based concept and the reasons for adopting it.

Ms. Johanna Korhonen, an APU staff member native from Finland, talked about her experience living as a vegetarian overseas and following a plant-based lifestyle in Japan.

There was also a talk session with VegePro APU/Hint students.
In response to the questions of the students, Ms. Johanna and Haruko talked not only about food, but also about things such as cosmetics and other household goods that uses animal products or that are tested on animals, and other things such as zoos and aquariums where animals are used.

As APU is well-know as international university, the entire lecture was given both in Japanese and English, and many of the students participating in the event had international backgrounds.

During the event, we made an opportunity that participants of the event to try vegan food.
The catering was from Neo Vegetarian Kitchen Shalom (from Beppu City). The prepared food included
hamburgers made from naturally grown vegetables and nimono (simmered vegetables), among other
things.

At this meeting as well, there were students who gave there names to joining VegePro APU.
Following this trend, it would be good if more and more people got involved to create a movement.