The Inaugural CCN Leadership Summit takes place in India

At the end of September, leaders from the Compassionate Choices Network (CCN) gathered in New Delhi with the goal of building a stronger, more compassionate movement for animals, people and the planet.

This first in-person Summit brought together leaders from CCN organisations to share their experiences and to foster collaboration through trusted relationships across Asia. Having worked together for the past four years, the Summit was a huge milestone for ACTAsia and the CCN.

ACTAsia founded the CCN in 2021 with the goal of focusing on issues affecting animals, people and the environment by using education to address, highlight and resolve harmful practices. The CCN supports Asian organisations across the region bringing together Asian spokespeople who work together to reduce animal consumption, to protect humans from harm and to safeguard the environment by promoting responsible consumption and sustainable plant-based lifestyles.

As Pei (Founder and CEO of ACTAsia) explained: ‘This summit marks the start of something ground breaking for Asia. The CCN as a group is not just fighting for animal welfare or plant-based diets but together they are working towards collective compassionate action to promote a better sustainable plant-based lifestyle’. The unique feature of the CCN is the fact that the network celebrates groups from very different backgrounds, types of organisations and ethnicities, but who all share the same goals. As Pei goes on to say: ‘The CCN is not just a network – we are a collective but diverse voice representing the Asia region.’

“There is really nothing like the CCN – it’s big in ideas, big in potential and big in impact. It’s going to live on in the world.”  Davina, Malaysia.

The Incredible Organisations attending the Leadership Summit

The Summit brought together twelve participants from seven Asian countries for the CCN’s first in-person gathering since the Network’s founding. This included members from: 

  • PAWS – The Philippine Animal Welfare Society: a non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting the humane treatment of animals through education, legislation and veterinary services.
  • AEP – Animal Empathy Philippines: an organisation focused on raising awareness and advocating for the welfare of farmed animals.
  • Vive: a Vietnamese community organisation with the purpose of providing information and knowledge about the vegan lifestyle
  • ACRES – Animal Concerns Research & Education Society: a Singapore based organisation dedicated to promoting animal welfare and advocating for the rights of all animals.
  • KVCS – Korea Agency of Vegan Certification Services: Korea’s first domestic vegan certification agency
  • ACTAsia : the International and China teams

We were delighted to welcome our newest CCN member: 

  • Vegan Society Malaysia: a community committed to inspiring and promoting a sustainable, compassionate and healthy lifestyle. 

ACTAsia also invited a vegan based organisation from India with view to future collaboration: 

On this occasion CCN members Greeneration Foundation, an environmental NGO focusing on sustainable consumption and production in Indonesia and the Tuvalu Climate Action Network (TuCAN) were unable to join us due to visa constraints but we look forward to welcoming them at the next Summit.

Our thanks also extend to SHARAN for hosting the event and helping with our inaugural Summit.

What happened at the Summit?

The four-day programme combined strategy workshops and reflective wellness experiences in an environment that fostered collaboration, cultural understanding, and personal renewal. The Summit was designed as a progressive learning journey—beginning with shared understanding and relationship-building, moving through evidence and strategy development and concluding with collective action planning. Each session built upon the last, ensuring that participants moved from reflection to concrete next steps.

“The thing that surprised me most about the Summit is its diversity—people from different countries, all free to talk not only about success but about struggles. What makes CCN different is the common goal of growing together.” Sowndarya, India. 

“I’m so happy that I’m able to share my input, our country specific experience, and to be able to share my ideas.” Ging, Philippines. 

Focus on Plant Forward 

The Summit provided an ideal opportunity for members to discuss ACTAsia’s annual flagship Plant Forward campaign and discuss plans for the 2026 campaign. 

Asia is now the world’s largest producer of meat and this rapid growth is having a dramatic impact with global health paying the price. Across much of Asia, animals and the environment are seen as resources, not lives or ecosystems to be protected. Legislation in Asia is often weak or favours the meat industry and non-profits struggle to raise awareness and funding is scarce.

“Compassion is lacking among the general public in their day to day lives. If we get the compassion going, everything else will fall in place.” Kalai, Singapore.

Plant Forward is an annual two-week festival that celebrates the benefits of a plant-based diet and raises awareness surrounding sustainable fashion and eco-friendly, cruelty-free living. Organised by members of the CCN, Plant Forward helps people in Asia learn that the food we eat, and the choices we make in our daily lives, all have an impact on animals, people and the environment.

However, ACTAsia and the members of the CCN believe in a different story — one of compassion, connection and built on a single belief that real change in Asia must come from Asia. The strength of the Plant Forward campaign lies in the voices of the members — people who know their culture, their food and their traditions – that authenticity makes the message real.

Key Takeaways from the Summit

“I came as a person, but I left with a family who support our work in Vietnam.”  Le, Vietnam

The Summit not only enhanced knowledge but also deepened members’ connection to one another and to the CCN’s mission. The event laid a strong foundation for continued regional impact and for ACTAsia’s long-term vision of compassionate choices and sustainable lifestyles that benefit animals, people and the environment.

Participants left New Delhi inspired and ready to implement change. The event renewed the CCN’s collective identity, with many describing a sense of “clarity, confidence, and community.”

“The CCN gives us the strength in numbers, knowing that there is a lot of us doing the same thing.” Anna, Philippines. 

As Pei concluded: “The goal of this summit was to help members grow and develop. By learning from each other and supporting each other, we can use the synergy to create a strategy in order to achieve impactful results together.”

If you have been inspired by ACTAsia’s work and want to learn more about the benefits of Caring for Life education, then please do get in touch. Equally please consider donating to ACTAsia to help further our global reach. 

Your contribution directly fuels our efforts, ensuring that the message of sustainable living and education reaches even further. Every donation counts, no matter the size. Help us further our cause and ensure a kinder future for animals, people and the environment.

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