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Success Story – Wim DeKok
Wim DeKok is an esteemed animal welfare activist and valued Advisory Director for ACTAsia. As the founder and co-founder of over 10 animal protection organisations and a board member of many more, Wim is an incredible force for the animal rights movement.
From Village Vegetarian to Global Animal Welfare Leader
Wim DeKok is an animal rights aficionado through and through. He has dedicated his life to animal welfare, with a career in animal rights activism that has spanned over fifty years. Hailing from a small village in the Netherlands, Wim grew up making hay and milking cows. He found his beginning in animal welfare as the self-proclaimed ‘village vegetarian.’ “I had to peddle an hour on my bike to buy a limp head of lettuce,” Wim recalls. “The small nation of the Netherlands leads the world in factory farming practices.” He soon left his village, moving to Amsterdam to look for like-minded people. “I found an activist group against factory farming. As soon as I left school, I joined the movement professionally. That was fifty years ago.”
Since then, Wim also lived in London and eventually landed in Boston. He has founded or co-founded more than ten animal protection organisations, all of which operate successfully and have created over 200 jobs for animal advocates around the world. In addition to being an Advisory Board member of ACTAsia, he is on the board of the Species Survival Network, Four Paws USA and Netherlands, National Council for Animal Protection, Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries and the World Federation for Animals.
Wim’s Involvement with ACTAsia
“I first met Pei on one of my visits to London,” recalls Wim. “Later, in 2005 we worked together with others on the pioneering ACTAsia training course, where activists from around the world came together in Italy for a six-week intensive programme on animal activism. The course was a testament to the innovative and professional way that ACTAsia works.”
Since then, Wim has gone on to become an invaluable member of ACTAsia’s advisory board. “There is always more to a story and knowing the circumstances makes you understand the challenges better,” says Wim.
“What stands out to me when I think of ACTAsia is the professionalism, the science-based approach and the culturally appropriate communications. Few others can do that working in a part of the world where the message of compassion and sustainability is much needed.”
Wim has also been a key player in ACTAsia’s Fur Free campaign. “It is an important touchstone in my life,” he shares. “It is what brought me into the world of international animal protection.”
In fact, it was Wim who developed the iconic anti-fur poster with Victor the baby fox accompanied by the slogan, Does your mother have a fur coat? My mother lost hers. “It was 1990, a time before the internet,” recalls Wim. “The poster was produced in 22 languages and went around the world. In 2011 that poster had a second life when ACTAsia used it for the successful campaign in China specifically. Fur is the prime example of needless animal suffering for a luxury article.”
Sharing and Collaboration as the Path Forward
Wim observes both a growth and increase of sophistication of the animal protection movement. “There are far more organisations around the world,” he says. “there are over approximately 60,000 organisations worldwide working to protect animals.” However, he says, “this, at the same time, has been one of my frustrations.” This statistic means that there are probably at least 100 million members and volunteers supporting these organisations, he elaborates. “why, then, do we not have more influence?”
“This was one of the motivations behind the foundation of the World Federation for Animals in 2020 and I am happy that ACTAsia has joined as a member. Co-operation is key!”
“We should learn from what was tried before. If we do not learn from history, we are doomed to repeat it. History is important. That is why I have donated my personal archives which stretch to over 12 meters, consisting of more than 70 boxes and legal boxes, to the North Carolina State University Library.”
Wim’s Hopes for the Future
“I am still very passionate about fighting factory farming, which is the cause of tremendous animal suffering.” With the advancement of cell cultured meat, Wim hopes to eventually see the complete eradication of this harmful practice. “Eventually it will be more efficient, more economic, more sustainable and more ethical to feed the world without using animals.”
“It takes a generation to create permanent behaviour changes among the general public,” Wim says. “Focusing on education of the younger generation is essential.”
Thank you, Wim, for your remarkable contributions to the animal protection movement and your ongoing support of ACTAsia.
If you are passionate about protecting animals and creating a more compassionate world, please consider supporting ACTAsia. Join us in making a lasting difference—every contribution helps build a kinder future for all living beings.
Your support can help ACTAsia continue its award-winning work, providing children with the education and compassion they need to build a better future. Please Donate to ACTAsia’s Caring for Life Programme and be a part of the compassionate movement.
