Model press release

Below, you will find help in writing your press release for the WoDES. It is essential that the media talk about this day as much as possible, to raise awareness of the ethical problem of speciesism: so do not hesitate to contact journalists!

The World Day for the End of Speciesism (WoDES), [date]

[date] marks the World Day for the End of Speciesism (WoDES), a day dedicated to recognizing the interests and experiences of animals, who are often ignored simply because they belong to a different species. As society evolves, more and more people are coming to the understanding that animals, like humans, are capable of experiencing pain, pleasure, and a range of emotions. This growing recognition calls for a shift in how we treat animals.

Every day, over three billion animals are killed for human consumption, a practice that continues largely unnoticed. Yet, it is well-known that animals have intrinsic experiences of their own, including the desire to avoid suffering and to live in a way that enables their flourishing. On this day, we present five demands aimed at ensuring that animals' interests and experiences are considered in our decision-making:

1. Legal recognition of animals as sentient beings – We advocate for a new legal framework that acknowledges animals as beings capable of experiencing pain and pleasure, moving away from seeing them simply as property.
2. Public awareness campaigns on speciesism – We call for the creation of public campaigns that raise awareness about speciesism and the importance of taking their interests into account, with a special focus on integrating these issues into educational curricula.
3. Ending fishing and slaughterhouses – We urge the abolition of the killing of animals for consumption, while advocating for retraining programs to support workers transitioning to more humane industries. A progressive transition can be funded by savings gained from reducing these subsidies, supporting a future where fewer animals suffer.
4. Ending the use of animals as scientific equipment – We ask for an end to the use of animals in scientific research and an increase in public investment in alternative, non-animal-based methods of research that can achieve the same, if not better, outcomes.
5. Environmental decision-making that considers animals' interests – We urge all decisions about environmental policies and practices to take the experiences and interests of individual non-human animals into account, ensuring that the impacts of our actions are felt with their welfare in mind.

Since 2015, animal advocacy organizations around the world have mobilized to carry these demands. This year, the 130 organizations that support the WoDES countries are planning actions over more than 20 countries, both in the streets and online, to raise awareness about speciesism and its devastating consequences.

More and more people worldwide are acknowledging that animals, like humans, can experience pain and suffering. A growing number of individuals, institutions, and communities now agree that our actions toward animals must reflect this understanding. On August 30th, we come together to advance this shared vision—a world in which animals are considered not as commodities, but as individuals who deserve to live free of exploitation and suffering.

Learn more about the campaign on the World Day's website: https://end-of-speciesism.org/en/

A protest for WoDES in Bern, Switzerland (2020)

Press contacts:
Joseph Ancion  : +33 (0)7 69 70 41 54
Yves Bonnardel : +33 (0)6 95 40 85 95