The Importance Of Bearing Witness & The Plant Based Treaty With Nicola Harris And Anita Krajnc

Today on the PBN Podcast, we are joined by two special guests – Nicola Harris & Anita Krajnc of Plant Based Treaty, an international movement and grassroots campaign designed to put food systems at the forefront of combating the climate crisis.

Anita Krajnc is co-founder of Toronto Pig Save and the global Animal Save Movement. The groups bear witness to animals at slaughterhouses and are dedicated to promoting an equitable, eco-friendly vegan vision for the world through grassroots activism. She has participated in numerous campaigns and initiatives such as the Great Bear Rainforest Campaign where she met environmental activist Tzeporah Berman, who now chairs the Fossil Fuel Nonproliferation Treaty. Anita received her Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Toronto, and she has also taught university courses on social movement strategies.

With over 20 years experience in pressure campaigning in the UK, Nicola Harris serves as Plant Based Treaty’s Director of Communications. She studied Psychology and Computing at Bournemouth University. This laid the foundation for learning how to apply our knowledge of human memory and information processing in communication, copywriting and media strategies. Nicola coordinates the Plant Based Treaty’s online activity and digital campaigns, ensuring that their work has maximum reach and impact.

00:00:00 An introduction to Nicola Harris & Anita Krajnc

00:03:00 The start of Nicola and Anita’s commitment to veganism

00:07:00 How Nicola and Anita came to work together

00:09:32 Animal Save Movement: The principles and ideas behind the global network

00:13:35 Examining the positive impacts of bearing witness

00:17:30 How has bearing witness impacted Nicola and Anita’s experience as a vegan advocate?

00:21:00 The most effective ways in which we can advocate without showing too much graphic detail of animal suffering

00:27:00 How The Plant Based Treaty began

00:32:00 The most surprising things that Nicola has noticed during the Plant Based Treaty journey

00:33:45 The key things that people need to know about our food system and how it impacts climate breakdown

00:38:10 How can we fight apathy?

00:40:00 What needs to be done to address the harmful effects of animal agriculture?

00:45:45 Nicola Harris on becoming the victim of state repression and being imprisoned during her fight for animal welfare

00:51:00 Anita Krajnc on the importance of Gandhi's teachings

00:56:30 The future of the Plant Based Treaty campaigns

01:01:50 Stranded on a desert island