---
title: "World Vegetarian Congress - Promoting Vegetarianism in Botswana - IVU - International Vegetarian Union"
description: "World Vegetarian Congress - Promoting Vegetarianism in Botswana: 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 Promoting Vegetarianism in"
url: "https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/interviews/3751-congress-thai99-texts-pkjain.html"
date: "2026-11-05T23:58:43+00:00"
language: "en-GB"
---

#  World Vegetarian Congress - Promoting Vegetarianism in Botswana

**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   Promoting Vegetarianism in Botswana    The Vegetarian Society of Botswana  *A talk given by [Dr. Pushpendra K. Jain](https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/interviews/4369-members-council-pk-jain.html)*  The paper begins with an overview of the food and dietary habits of the people of Africa. It is observed that while most of the African population is non-vegetarian, the consumption of meat and meat products in most cases is very nominal as compared to the meat eating habits of the people of rich western countries. The source of animal protein varies according to regions, for example people from coastal areas and those living near lakes and rivers, consume more fish, while those far away from large bodies of water eat more red meat and poultry. The quantity and frequency of meat consumption depends on the financial capacity of individuals, which in many cases is low.  Botswana is no exception to this general trend except that, being a relatively rich country, its people are in a position to afford more. Botswana is also a cattle farming country, supplies beef to the European Economic Community, and beef is also the main meat product consumed locally. Having experienced and observed severe lack of services and concern for vegetarians by the local tourist industry, the Vegetarian Society of Botswana was founded in 1995 with an objective of, among others, to promote awareness about vegetarianism. The Society during its existence of four years has grown slowly but steadily, and at present it is one of the most successful societies of this nature in the region. A brief account of the history of the founding of the Society, its aims and objectives, and the activities undertaken and planned is presented.  *Dr. Pushpendra K. Jain*  Born in a religious, Jain family of Saharanpur, India in 1946, Dr. Pushpendra K. Jain has been a vegetarian since birth. He completed his education in India and USA and holds a Ph.D. degree in Physics from the University of Connecticut. He has worked in research and academic positions in India, USA and Zambia, and for the past twelve years has been teaching at the University of Botswana.  He is the Founder Chairman Vegetarian Society of Botswana (VSB) which was formed in 1995. Since 1997 he has been the IVU Regional Secretary: Africa Region. The VSB, in spite of being a young organisation in a part of the world where the dietary habits are predominantly non-vegetarian, has been active and sucessful. He has also contributed occasioanlly to the IVU-talk Group and the IVU Newsletter.  He is married to Priti, who holds a degree in Law, and a Masters degree in Library Sciences and Information Technology. They have two daughters Gauri (1981), Shilpi (1989) and a son Shitesh (1989).  Besides a number of profession societies, he is a member of the Lions Club and the Mensa International (UK); collects coins, stamps and phone cards.      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: 1686    ###  Vegan Recipes   - [![Moroccan Fava Bean and Squash Stew](https://ivu.org/media/zoo/images/moroccan-fava-bean-and-squash-stew-1775425713_175e8b6cd896a5eafeae4c90886cc7a9.jpg "Moroccan Fava Bean and Squash Stew")](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/item/moroccan-fava-bean-and-squash-stew.html "Moroccan Fava Bean and Squash Stew")           ####  [Moroccan Fava Bean and Squash Stew](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/item/moroccan-fava-bean-and-squash-stew.html "Moroccan Fava Bean and Squash Stew")            [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) - [![Injera (Ethiopian Flat Bread)](https://ivu.org/media/zoo/images/ijera_2127d9733f014a98116e50bf4d913af5.jpg "Injera (Ethiopian Flat Bread)")](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/item/injera-ethiopian-flat-bread.html "Injera (Ethiopian Flat Bread)")           ####  [Injera (Ethiopian Flat Bread)](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/item/injera-ethiopian-flat-bread.html "Injera (Ethiopian Flat Bread)")            [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) - [![VEGAN DICE CAKE](https://ivu.org/media/zoo/images/th11%20259_fc4bcbed285fc6703460d8f6d3c54ea7.jpg "VEGAN DICE CAKE")](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/item/vegan-dice-cake.html "VEGAN DICE CAKE")           ####  [VEGAN DICE CAKE](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/item/vegan-dice-cake.html "VEGAN DICE CAKE")            [Breakfast and brunch](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/breakfast-and-brunch.html) [Desserts](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/deserts.html) [Vietnam](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/vietnam.html)       ###  VFA Blog   - [![Exploring the Versatility of Jackfruit in Vegan Cuisine](https://ivu.org/media/zoo/images/jackfruit-vegan-chicken_38d26d6f0069138610db7aebc31a29e3.jpg "Exploring the Versatility of Jackfruit in Vegan Cuisine")](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/blog-front-page/item/exploring-the-versatility-of-jackfruit-in-vegan-cuisine.html "Exploring the Versatility of Jackfruit in Vegan Cuisine")           ####  [Exploring the Versatility of Jackfruit in Vegan Cuisine](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/blog-front-page/item/exploring-the-versatility-of-jackfruit-in-vegan-cuisine.html "Exploring the Versatility of Jackfruit in Vegan Cuisine")                - [Read more](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/blog-front-page/item/exploring-the-versatility-of-jackfruit-in-vegan-cuisine.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               7319 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               602 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               2781 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               3832 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               4051 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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