--- title: "Chiang Mai 1999: Maxwell G. Lee - Delegate Introduction - IVU - International Vegetarian Union" description: "Chiang Mai 1999: Maxwell G. Lee - 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 Hello Everyone, Many people have given their biographies and they" url: "https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/interviews/3687-congress-thai99-profiles-maxwell.html" date: "2026-11-06T00:12:26+00:00" language: "en-GB" --- # Chiang Mai 1999: Maxwell G. Lee - 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 Hello Everyone, Many people have given their biographies and they have been very interesting. I look forward to meeting you all in Chiang Mai. Having been around for a long time, it is easy to forget that there are many more people I have not met that those I have and many of you are coming to Chiang Mai. Consequently, here is my background information. Born and raised in London, England. Career as a lecturer in urban geography and planning with a special interest in housing and urban problems. Lectured for Manchester Victoria University, Manchester Metropolitan University and the Open University. Prior to this enjoyed a career in teaching and teacher training. Took early retirement in 1991 to spend more time promoting vegetarianism. Vegetarian from the age of 12 years for moral reasons and vegan for the last fifteen years. Active in the [Vegetarian Society of the United Kingdom](http://www.vegsoc.org/) since 1955. Held various positions in the VSUK inclding chair of Council for nearly 12 years and am currently President of the vsuk. Awarded the title of Fellow of the Society for services to it. Chairman of the Vegetarian Charity since 1969 and Hon. General Secretary of the International Vegetarian Union 1979 - 1996. Former President of the European Vegetarian Union and now Deputy President of IVU. President of the Manchester Geographical Society, Vice President of the Geographical Association (Manchester Branch). Governor of two comprehensive schools. Lecturer on all aspects of vegetarianism and have lectured and undertaken television and radio broadcasts and interviews for magazines and newspapers in 14 European countries, the United States, Canada, Mexico, Israel, India, Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand. Yesterday I flew to Aberdeen in Scotland to argue the moral vegetarian argument in front of a meat orientated audience including the chair of the Meat and Livestock Commission in Scotland. He asked one question and then said no more when I pointed out some of the cruelties practised by the meat industry. The programme will be broadcast next January, but only in Scotland. Have written many articles on various aspects of vegetarianism and produced and edited a newsletter on vegetarianism. Awarded the International Vegetarian of the Year Award by the Reverence for Life Society of India for 1995. I have been around for a long time so do not be surprised by my experience. If you keep up the action we will have a vegetarian world. Little did I realise where it would lead when I became a vegetarian at the age of 12 years!! If I can help anywhere do let me know. Yours for a vegetarian world. [Maxwell G. Lee](https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/interviews/4354-members-council-maxwell-lee.html) 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: 1510 ### Vegan Recipes - [![Best Black Bean Chili](https://ivu.org/media/zoo/images/61b83d6d-1856-483a-8dbf-321aafbd5649_3b27e9b9511aceb2a446adc25895f429.png "Best Black Bean Chili")](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/item/best-black-bean-chili.html "Best Black Bean Chili") #### [Best Black Bean Chili](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/item/best-black-bean-chili.html "Best Black Bean 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) - [![Injera (Ethiopian Sourdough Flatbread)](https://ivu.org/media/zoo/images/injera--ethiopian-sourdough-flatbread--1775266258_a23c1c30fa6bd3626d1f9c74b0832506.jpg "Injera (Ethiopian Sourdough Flatbread)")](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/item/injera-ethiopian-sourdough-flatbread.html "Injera (Ethiopian Sourdough Flatbread)") #### [Injera (Ethiopian Sourdough Flatbread)](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/item/injera-ethiopian-sourdough-flatbread.html "Injera (Ethiopian Sourdough Flatbread)") [Ethiopia](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/ethiopian.html) [Starters & side dishes](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/snack-side-dishes.html) [African](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/african.html) - 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[ 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 3834 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 - 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