---
title: "Chiang Mai 1999: John Wedderburn - Delegate Introduction - IVU - International Vegetarian Union"
description: "Chiang Mai 1999: John Wedderburn - Delegate Introduction: 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 I have just managed to sort out my life sufficiently to decide"
url: "https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/interviews/3682-congress-thai99-profiles-jwed.html"
date: "2026-11-06T00:59:22+00:00"
language: "en-GB"
---

#  Chiang Mai 1999: John Wedderburn - Delegate Introduction

**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  I have just managed to sort out my life sufficiently to decide that I shall be able to attend the congress. Fortunately I didn't have any difficulty with bookings despite the late hour - mainly because I cannot come for the whole time so that I shall arrive and leave at non-peak times. I shall arrive in time for dinner on Wednesday 6th and leave at lunch time on Saturday 9th. I hope I shall be able to meet many old and new friends in that time.  I have some photos of animals in China which I hope to have an opportunity to show some of you. I am a semi retired medical doctor who spends most of his energies nowadays on animal issues. My particular interests are zoos (the abolition of) and stray animal control (the elimination of the need for). I am the WebManager for EarthCare: <http://www.earth.org.hk/> I am originally from Edinburgh but have spent the last 25 years in Hong Kong.  My son converted me to veganism 12 years ago - I had secretly longed to be vegetarian since early childhood but I allowed myself to be browbeaten by parents, teachers and peers. On the Thursday I hope to go to the Botanic Gardens and the Zoo (which has 1225 inmates according to the Global Zoo Directory). I hope I can persuade some of you to come with me!   See you soon!    John Wedderburn.      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: 899    ###  Vegan Recipes   - [![STEAMED TOFU WITH LAKSA LEAVES AND SALT PEPPER](https://ivu.org/media/zoo/images/th10%20336_de81a8f6330378c2343d979ab7accd7d.jpg "STEAMED TOFU WITH LAKSA LEAVES AND SALT PEPPER")](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/item/steamed-tofu-with-laksa-leaves-and-salt-pepper.html "STEAMED TOFU WITH LAKSA LEAVES AND SALT PEPPER")           ####  [STEAMED TOFU WITH LAKSA LEAVES AND SALT PEPPER](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/item/steamed-tofu-with-laksa-leaves-and-salt-pepper.html "STEAMED TOFU WITH LAKSA LEAVES AND SALT PEPPER")            [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) - [![VEGAN BRAISED MUSHROOM WITH LEMONGRASS](https://ivu.org/media/zoo/images/th10%20101_6533319323c55b743658beae42e55785.jpg "VEGAN BRAISED MUSHROOM WITH LEMONGRASS")](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/item/vegan-braised-mushroom-with-lemongrass.html "VEGAN BRAISED MUSHROOM WITH LEMONGRASS")           ####  [VEGAN BRAISED MUSHROOM WITH LEMONGRASS](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/item/vegan-braised-mushroom-with-lemongrass.html "VEGAN BRAISED MUSHROOM WITH LEMONGRASS")            [Breakfast and brunch](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/breakfast-and-brunch.html) [Fake Meats (Tofu etc)](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/fake-meats-tofu-etc.html) [Vietnam](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/vietnam.html) - [![Rich Vegetarian Couscous](https://ivu.org/media/zoo/images/rich-vegetarian-couscous-1775428907_84787fe4aba6a359d636c6fc73292600.jpg "Rich Vegetarian Couscous")](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/item/rich-vegetarian-couscous.html "Rich Vegetarian Couscous")           ####  [Rich Vegetarian Couscous](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/item/rich-vegetarian-couscous.html "Rich Vegetarian Couscous")            [Main course](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/main-course-for-lunch-and-dinner.html) [Soups](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/soup.html) [Morocco](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/morocco.html) [African](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/african.html)       ###  VFA Blog   - [![Lactose Liberation: Embracing the Vegan Wave with Plant-Based Milks – A Health Revolution in Your Glass](https://ivu.org/media/zoo/images/almond_milk_jar_443a624aa9f8881a9dae2ddfbd8a5b02.jpg "Lactose Liberation: Embracing the Vegan Wave with Plant-Based Milks – A Health Revolution in Your Glass")](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/blog-front-page/item/lactose-liberation-embracing-the-vegan-wave-with-plant-based-milks-a-health-revolution-in-your-glass.html "Lactose Liberation: Embracing the Vegan Wave with Plant-Based Milks – A Health Revolution in Your Glass")           ####  [Lactose Liberation: Embracing the Vegan Wave with Plant-Based Milks – A Health Revolution in Your Glass](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/blog-front-page/item/lactose-liberation-embracing-the-vegan-wave-with-plant-based-milks-a-health-revolution-in-your-glass.html "Lactose Liberation: Embracing the Vegan Wave with Plant-Based Milks – A Health Revolution in Your Glass")                - [Read more](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/blog-front-page/item/lactose-liberation-embracing-the-vegan-wave-with-plant-based-milks-a-health-revolution-in-your-glass.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               4558 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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