---
title: "Chiang Mai 1999: A Delegate Introduction: Music, Youth Work and the IVU Website - IVU - International Vegetarian Union"
description: "Chiang Mai 1999: A Delegate Introduction: Music, Youth Work and the IVU Website: International Vegetarian Union (IVU) 33rd World Vegetarian Congress Chiang Mai, Thailand, January 4 - 10, 1999 'Vegetarianism is the Way' an unforgettable visual, cultural and gastronomic experience Having kicked off this intro thing again I thought I should throw"
url: "https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/interviews/3681-congress-thai99-profiles-john.html"
date: "2026-11-06T02:17:31+00:00"
language: "en-GB"
---

#  Chiang Mai 1999: A Delegate Introduction: Music, Youth Work and the IVU Website

**International Vegetarian Union (IVU)** | ![IVU logo](https://ivu.org/images/legacy/history/members/pics/ivu-con4.gif) |  |
|---|---|
 | ![Congress Logo](https://ivu.org/images/legacy/history/congress/thai99/pics/logo99.gif) **33rd World Vegetarian Congress**    Chiang Mai, Thailand, January 4 - 10, 1999    *'Vegetarianism is the Way'*    an unforgettable visual, cultural and gastronomic experience  Having kicked off this intro thing again I thought I should throw in a bit about me...   I was born in Portsmouth - or what was left of if it - on the south coast of England just after WWII. I'm still here.  My original training, in the 1960s was in electronic communications with the Ministry of Defence - radio, radar, telephones and even some early computers, but I was really more interested in playing the guitar and helping to run a local youth club.   I spent the 1970s teaching classical guitar in schools, colleges and the local university; published a book on how to play the guitar; helped set up an Arts Centre with drama, visual arts etc as well as music; was musical director for a youth theatre group; played in concerts and electric bass in jazz bands, theatre bands etc. Most of my spare time was spent in sailing on the Solent - easily the best place in the world for that, and did a lot of travelling around Europe and North America.  By the early 80s I had a family and returned to my youth work interests, specifically with juvenile offenders which I've been doing ever since. For the last few years I've been the Court Officer for our agency, spending most of my time in the law courts arguing with lawyers - and usually winning :-)  I started dabbling with vegetarianism in the early 70s, but the whole family made the switch more seriously in the mid 80s. In the early 90s we ran a veggie guesthouse for three years and organised a local veg group. Then the internet came along, and most of you know the rest...  john   If you really want more, and an awful picture, go to: [http://www.ivu.org/members/john-davis.html](https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/interviews/4337-members-council-john-davis.html)  \[ *an update in 2003: Since the above was written I took early retirement from the juvenile offender work and moved to rural Shropshire. I've now returned to teaching guitar part time as well as maintaining the IVU website. I'm on the committee of the local wildlife trust and run a website with mostly my own wildlife photography at [www.oswild.org](http://www.oswild.org/), and I do a lot of veganic gardening and walking in the local countryside.* *I'm currently researching a book on the history of IVU in time for the centenary in 2008 - see [www.ivu.org/history](https://ivu.org/history-of-ivu.html) for everything collected so far.* \]      A note on this archive. The history section of this website is drawn from a body of legacy content originally compiled by John Davis, former manager of the International Vegetarian Union. It represents his curation of historical material, and in places includes passages written by him directly.  Over the years, the IVU website has migrated between several different hosting servers. In the course of these migrations, a number of PDF files were unfortunately lost, and **some links to PDF documents may no longer function**. Where this is the case, we have chosen to leave the original link text in place, as it may itself carry information of historical value.  - Hits: 777    ###  Vegan Recipes   - [![VEGAN FRIED “EGGS”](https://ivu.org/media/zoo/images/th11%20280_ce4d94d888b123485344f121f82b3f7b.jpg "VEGAN FRIED “EGGS”")](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/item/vegan-fried-eggs.html "VEGAN FRIED “EGGS”")           ####  [VEGAN FRIED “EGGS”](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/item/vegan-fried-eggs.html "VEGAN FRIED “EGGS”")            [Breakfast and brunch](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/breakfast-and-brunch.html) [Vietnam](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/vietnam.html) [Stir Fry](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/fake-meats-tofu-etc-2.html) - [![Bean and Vegetable Chili](https://ivu.org/media/zoo/images/f8cba3af-5ccd-4fd4-b332-1b3c2b862a49_c108000c9c278c58fd10367f640cf204.png "Bean and Vegetable Chili")](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/item/bean-and-vegetable-chili.html "Bean and Vegetable Chili")           ####  [Bean and Vegetable Chili](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/item/bean-and-vegetable-chili.html "Bean and Vegetable Chili")            [Mexico](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/mexico-2.html) [Main course](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/main-course-for-lunch-and-dinner.html) - [![Jamaican Jardinière Pickles](https://ivu.org/media/zoo/images/jamaican-jardini--re-pickles-1780528829_bdad05932e4d638ec1b0cee9d4eb6f55.jpg "Jamaican Jardinière Pickles")](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/item/jamaican-jardiniere-pickles.html "Jamaican Jardinière Pickles")           ####  [Jamaican Jardinière Pickles](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/item/jamaican-jardiniere-pickles.html "Jamaican Jardinière Pickles")            [Jamaica](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/jamaica.html) [Starters & side dishes](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/snack-side-dishes.html) [Caribbean](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/caribbean.html)       ###  VFA Blog   - [![The Many Uses of Fruit in Vegan Cooking](https://ivu.org/media/zoo/images/grilled_peachesbig_3931a83d44a390340dfa70e896806535.jpg "The Many Uses of Fruit in Vegan Cooking")](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/blog-front-page/item/the-many-uses-of-fruit-in-vegan-cooking.html "The Many Uses of Fruit in Vegan Cooking")           ####  [The Many Uses of Fruit in Vegan Cooking](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/blog-front-page/item/the-many-uses-of-fruit-in-vegan-cooking.html "The Many Uses of Fruit in Vegan Cooking")                - [Read more](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/blog-front-page/item/the-many-uses-of-fruit-in-vegan-cooking.html)       ###  Science   - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/science/207-rapid-global-phaseout-of-animal-agriculture-has-the-potential-to-stabilize-greenhouse-gas-levels-for-30-years.html)     [ Rapid global phaseout of animal agriculture has the potential to stabilize greenhouse gas levels for 30 years](https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/science/207-rapid-global-phaseout-of-animal-agriculture-has-the-potential-to-stabilize-greenhouse-gas-levels-for-30-years.html) Popular - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/science/206-animal-agriculture-and-climate-change-a-qualitative-holistic-note.html)     [ Animal Agriculture and Climate change a Qualitative holistic note](https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/science/206-animal-agriculture-and-climate-change-a-qualitative-holistic-note.html) Popular - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/science/202-environmental-impact-of-two-plant-based-isocaloric-and-isoproteic-diets-the-vegan-diet-vs-the-mediterranean-diet.html)     [ Environmental Impact of Two Plant Based Isocaloric and Isoproteic Diets The Vegan Diet vs the Mediterranean Diet](https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/science/202-environmental-impact-of-two-plant-based-isocaloric-and-isoproteic-diets-the-vegan-diet-vs-the-mediterranean-diet.html) Popular            ###  History     [ ![Taiwan's climate legislation embraces plant based eating](https://ivu.org/joomlatools-files/docman-images/generated/0f49c89d1e7298bb9930789c8ed59d48.jpg)    Taiwan's climate legislation embraces plant based eating                ](https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/history/vegan-nutrition-history/283-taiwans-climate-legislation-embraces-plant-based-eating.html "Taiwan's climate legislation embraces plant based eating")       [ ![Chinese Dietary Guidelines 2022   Guideline 4 Eat fish poultry eggs, and lean meat in moderation](https://ivu.org/joomlatools-files/docman-images/generated/6a9aeddfc689c1d0e3b9ccc3ab651bc5.jpg)    Chinese Dietary Guidelines 2022 Guideline 4 Eat fish poultry eggs, and lean meat in moderation                ](https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/history/vegan-nutrition-history/282-chinese-dietary-guidelines-2022-guideline-4-eat-fish-poultry-eggs-and-lean-meat-in-moderation.html "Chinese Dietary Guidelines 2022   Guideline 4 Eat fish poultry eggs, and lean meat in moderation")       [ ![Reply to Proposal No 4748 (Agriculture and Water Conservancy Category No  297) of the Third Session of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People´s Political Consultative Conference](https://ivu.org/joomlatools-files/docman-images/generated/e3796ae838835da0b6f6ea37bcf8bcb7.jpg)    Reply to Proposal No 4748 (Agriculture and Water Conservancy Category No 297) of the Third Session of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People´s Political Consultative Conference                ](https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/history/vegan-nutrition-history/281-reply-to-proposal-no-4748-agriculture-and-water-conservancy-category-no-297-of-the-third-session-of-the-13th-national-committee-of-the-chinese-peoples-political-consultative-conference.html "Reply to Proposal No 4748 (Agriculture and Water Conservancy Category No  297) of the Third Session of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People´s Political Consultative Conference")                                ###  Download the Vegetarian Nutrition Booklet for Kids and Adolescents   - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/117-vegetarian-nutrition-booklet-for-kids-and-adolescents.html)     [ vegetarian-nutrition-booklet-for-kids-and-adolescents](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/117-vegetarian-nutrition-booklet-for-kids-and-adolescents.html) Popular               7676 downloads - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/122-booklet-ivu-portugues-web.html)     [ Booklet IVU portugues web](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/122-booklet-ivu-portugues-web.html) Popular               7320 downloads - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/123-nutrition-guide-for-students-with-khmer-translation.html)     [ Nutrition Guide for Students (with Khmer Translation)](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/123-nutrition-guide-for-students-with-khmer-translation.html) Popular               6052 downloads - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/130-2023-05-03-18-17-13.html)     [ ベジタリアン・ヴィーガン栄養ガイド](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/130-2023-05-03-18-17-13.html) Popular               5524 downloads - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/124-vegetarian-nutritie-cartea-pentru-copii-si-adolescenti.html)     [ BROȘURA DE NUTRIȚIE VEGETARIANĂ - Romanian](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/124-vegetarian-nutritie-cartea-pentru-copii-si-adolescenti.html) Popular               5040 downloads - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/131-cartel-de-nutricion-vegetariana.html)     [ CARTEL DE NUTRICIÓN VEGETARIANA](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/131-cartel-de-nutricion-vegetariana.html) Popular               4559 downloads            ###  Nutrition   - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/294-what-are-the-best-sources-of-protein-introducing-the-bpi-score.html)     [ What are the best sources of protein Introducing the BPI Score](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/294-what-are-the-best-sources-of-protein-introducing-the-bpi-score.html) Popular               603 downloads - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/250-2024-the-omniveg-study-health-outcomes-of-shifting-from-a-traditional-to-a-vegan-mediterranean-diet-in-healthy-men-a-controlled-crossover-trial.html)     [ 2024 The OMNIVEG STUDY Health outcomes of shifting from a traditional to a vegan Mediterranean diet in healthy men A controlled crossover trial](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/250-2024-the-omniveg-study-health-outcomes-of-shifting-from-a-traditional-to-a-vegan-mediterranean-diet-in-healthy-men-a-controlled-crossover-trial.html) Popular               2782 downloads - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/205-plant-based-nutrition-exploring-health-benefits-for-atherosclerosis-chronic-diseases-and-metabolic-syndrome-a-comprehensive-review.html)     [ Plant Based Nutrition Exploring Health Benefits for Atherosclerosis, Chronic Diseases, and Metabolic Syndrome—A Comprehensive Review](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/205-plant-based-nutrition-exploring-health-benefits-for-atherosclerosis-chronic-diseases-and-metabolic-syndrome-a-comprehensive-review.html) Popular               3835 downloads - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/204-2024-plant-and-animal-fat-intake-and-overall-and-cardiovascular-disease-mortality-main-folder-all-cause-mortality.html)     [ 2024 Plant and Animal Fat Intake and Overall and Cardiovascular Disease Mortality Main Folder All Cause Mortality](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/204-2024-plant-and-animal-fat-intake-and-overall-and-cardiovascular-disease-mortality-main-folder-all-cause-mortality.html) Popular               4052 downloads                                ![](https://ivu.org/media/yootheme/cache/02/adult-guide-029d8cad.png)### The International Vegetarian Union’s Vegan Nutrition Guide for Adults  In 2 versions:  - [For healthcare professionals](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutritional-guide/the-international-vegetarian-union-s-vegan-nutrition-guide-for-adults-healthcare-professionals.html) - [General Public Edition](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutritional-guide/guide-for-non-healthcare-professionals.html)    [Get it now](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutritional-guide.html)         ![](https://ivu.org/images/banners/booklet2.jpg)### Vegetarian Nutrition Booklet A Dietary Approach to Vegetarianism for Kids and Adolescents  The intention of this booklet is present to kids and adolescents a healthy vegan diet    [Read more](https://ivu.org/nutrition/vegetarian-nutrition-book-for-kids-and-adolescents.html)                 Vegan Nutrition            ![](https://ivu.org/media/yootheme/cache/a6/logo_IVU_01_SLOGAN-a678b962.png)               ### Presidents, Chair and Council  - [IVU President and Chair of the International Council](https://ivu.org/ivu-chair.html) - [IVU Honorary President](https://ivu.org/ivu-honorary-president.html) - 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