Our principles
This page explains what VEGAN.IST stands for — as a platform and as a stance. It is not a club statute or a political manifesto, but an invitation to understand the values behind the community.
Definitions
To avoid misunderstandings, we clarify two key terms first — drawing on established definitions, in our own words for VEGAN.IST.
Vegan / veganism
Veganism is a philosophy and way of living which seeks to exclude—as far as is possible and practicable—all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose; and by extension, promotes the development and use of animal-free alternatives for the benefit of animals, humans and the environment. In practice that means, for example: in food and drink, no foods or beverages that come from animals or are made from them — such as no meat, no dairy products like milk, cheese or yoghurt, no eggs and no honey. In clothing and everyday life, no products from animal skin, wool, silk or down, and no cosmetics or household products tested on animals or made with animal ingredients. Entertainment at animals’ expense — such as in circuses or zoos — is not part of it either.
This is the definition of The Vegan Society.
Animal rights
Animal rights is the ethical and social claim that animals should be treated as individuals with interests worth protecting — such as life, freedom and bodily integrity — and not merely as property or resources for humans. Comparable interests count equally: suffering is suffering, regardless of species.
This differs from classical animal welfare: welfare often aims to reduce suffering within the use of animals. Animal rights questions the use itself and holds that animals’ basic interests should not be set aside for human convenience. On VEGAN.IST this distinction matters for clarity — without requiring every user to share the same position.
What VEGAN.IST is
VEGAN.IST is a digital platform for people who live vegan or are curious about it: for events, places, organisations and encounters. We want to make connections visible — between people, initiatives and places that share or strive for a more compassionate way of living.
Our stance
We recognise animals as sentient individuals — with their own needs, joy and suffering. We take their basic interests — in life, freedom and bodily integrity — as seriously as comparable human interests. Respect for non-human life is not a niche concern for us, but part of a consistent ethics of living together.
We understand living vegan as an everyday way to contribute as little as possible to the exploitation of animals and the destruction of their habitats — and not to treat them as means for human ends. VEGAN.IST should make that path easier — through information, community and shared experiences, not through lecturing.
Equal compassion
Many people love dogs and cats and recognise their capacity to feel — while other animals are industrially used, confined and killed. We reject this different valuation of animal species: suffering is suffering, regardless of species.
We find it contradictory to grant compassion and protection only to selected species. Our aim is not a perfect life, but honesty about whom we grant integrity and freedom — and that this recognition must not stop at the species line.
Human rights are part of this
Compassion for animals and standing up for human rights are not mutually exclusive — they belong together. Both follow from taking suffering and dignity seriously. No one may be devalued because of origin, gender, sexual orientation, identity, disability, religion or other characteristics.
VEGAN.IST does not tolerate hate speech, group-based hostility or conspiracy stories. Anyone who identifies with respect, openness and non-violence is welcome.
What we are not
VEGAN.IST is not a political party, not a religious community and not a substitute for political organisations. We do not push a party line and do not demand a uniform worldview. Different paths toward the same goal — less suffering, more compassion — are part of the community.
How the platform supports this
Through events, places and profiles we make vegan and animal-friendly engagement visible and reachable. Users can list their own events, discover places and find people. Content comes from the community; VEGAN.IST provides the framework and the technical means.
An invitation
If these ideas resonate with you — fully or in part — you are invited to help shape VEGAN.IST: share events, contribute places, support others. Change happens where people come together.