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Friends of ACTAsia, in their own words
Supporters and experts share what compassion means to them, and why this work matters now.
Our story
For 20 years, we’ve believed one thing: kindness can be taught.
Our story
From one classroom to a UN-recognised programme
Pei Su founded ACTAsia in 2006 with an Asian sociologist and an Asian veterinarian, on one belief: respect for people, animals and the environment leads to a more compassionate world.
We started with a handful of vets. In 2012 we trained our first Caring for Life teachers and launched our Fur Free work in Shenzhen. In 2021 the UN granted us Special Consultative Status, and in 2022 Caring for Life was recognised as UN Good Practice. Today we work across the UK, the Netherlands, Australia, China and the US.
Children’s education
Why we start with children
Lasting change starts young. Humane education, similar to PSHE in UK schools, is widely taught in the West but missing from most Asian classrooms. Without it, children miss out on empathy, compassion and an understanding of how people, animals and the planet are connected.
In China, an estimated 61 million ‘left-behind’ children grow up in rural areas while their parents work in the cities. Our Caring for Life programme gives them the guidance to grow into a compassionate generation.
Consumer education
Helping people make kinder choices
In many Asian countries, shoppers have little information about the suffering behind everyday products, from fur and meat to plastic bottles.
We show consumers the real impact on animals, people and the environment, suggest kinder alternatives, and promote plant-based eating for a more sustainable future.
