Parliament of the World's Religions
Aug
14
to Aug 18

Parliament of the World's Religions

  • McCormick Place - Lakeside Center (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

The Parliament of the World's Religions returns to Chicago, August 14th-18th, 2023, at the iconic McCormick Place.

The Vegan Museum exhibit will be displayed in the Climate Action Track for the duration of the entire event. This will be in the McCormick Place Lakeside Center, East Building (2301 S Lakeshore Drive).

We're thrilled to share that Kay Stepkin, the visionary behind The Vegan Museum, will be a distinguished speaker at the 2023 Parliament of the World’s Religions, on August 16th and 17th (find the agenda below). This remarkable opportunity offers The Vegan Museum a unique platform to share its message, extend its reach, and make a meaningful impact on a global scale.

The Parliament of the World's Religions stands as the torchbearer for the paramount interfaith gathering of changemakers – a nexus where civic leaders, spiritual luminaries, and grassroots advocates converge. Through its efforts, the Parliament advances a pivotal agenda encompassing religious freedom, environmental stewardship, peace, justice, women's rights, safeguarding the future, and championing Indigenous Peoples' rights.

A warm welcome extends to all individuals of faith and goodwill. The Parliament Convenings stand as a pinnacle of interfaith engagement, encapsulating over a century of luminaries including Swami Vivekananda, Susan B. Anthony, UN Messenger of Peace Jane Goodall, His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama, and a constellation of Nobel Peace Laureates, spiritual stalwarts, and international figures from diverse faith traditions, uniting a kaleidoscope of spiritual beliefs.

Registrants are invited to immerse themselves in a multitude of enriching experiences - plenary sessions, enlightening breakout discussions, captivating art exhibits, awe-inspiring performances, a cinematic tapestry of the human spirit, and endless avenues to connect with fellow champions of justice, peace, and sustainability. General admission, day passes, group packages, and student rates are available at 2023PoWR.org.

Be part of this living legacy, as we journey together towards a world marked by unity, understanding, and shared purpose.

For more information, please visit: https://parliamentofreligions.org/parliament/2023-chicago/

Agenda:

Join us on Wednesday, August 16th, from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm at the Climate Village Art Gallery (Level 3, Hall D) for a thought-provoking experience: 'What Does it Mean to be Vegetarian?' Kay Stepkin will lead us through a tour of The Vegan Museum. Discover the ethical and environmental impact of dietary choices and embrace a deeper understanding of compassionate living.

Thursday, August 17, 8-9:30 am

Climate Action Track, Room E266

“Looking Back and Moving Forward: The Vegan Museum”

We seem to be in the middle of the Sixth Great Extinction on the planet, affecting both plant & animal life. As our planet confronts this unknown future, an urgent question arises: What pivotal transformation can each of us embrace in order to rejuvenate our dying world?
The Vegan Museum stands as a testament to the sweeping global shift towards conscientious food choices. Join us as Museum founder Kay Stepkin shares her vegetarian past as well as her inspiration for starting the world's first vegan museum.
Lisa Levinson will discuss the significance of documenting veganism via museums/exhibits, fostering credibility and community.
Venture further with Victoria Moran who will discuss the spiritual history of vegetarianism. Kay will conclude the forum by illuminating how the flourishing environmental/vegan movement is providing us with a deeper understanding of the nature of God.

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The Healing Power of Plants: Discovering Vegan Health Benefits
Aug
5
2:00 PM14:00

The Healing Power of Plants: Discovering Vegan Health Benefits

Calling all health enthusiasts!

Dr. Ashwani Garg, a renowned Family Physician, invites you to an engaging discussion on the incredible impact of plant-based diets. Discover the reasons behind his own journey, and how he works with his patients to make healthy lifestyle changes.

Plus, how to stay plant-based, take charge of your children's health, and incorporate more fruits & veggies into your daily meals. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from a medical expert, and gain practical knowledge on transforming your health.

Reserve your seat now and take the first step towards a healthier you!

Register via Eventbrite

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Why so much interest in vegetarian and vegan diets?
Oct
26
6:00 PM18:00

Why so much interest in vegetarian and vegan diets?

Presented by

Carol D’Anca, MS, LDN, CNS

Stay after the talk for a tour of the museum by the Founder, Kay Stepkin.

Discover the three main reasons why there’s so much interest in vegan and vegetarian diets today.

How to avoid the “traps” that circumvent your best efforts to improve your diet.

Why children don’t eat vegetables and how to solve the problem.

Plus, a demonstration using three common foods almost everyone uses and how to determine the differences in quality and health benefits.

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The Foundations of Sustainability
Apr
22
6:00 PM18:00

The Foundations of Sustainability

Dr. Rao Facebook.jpg

Is it possible to save the planet? Join us for a special presentation by Dr. Sailesh Rao, founder of Climate Healers this Earth Day April 22 at 6PM CT. Dr. Rao will critically examine the foundational axioms of civilization and show how we can build a sustainable version using the tools and technologies we have available to us today. Discover what we need to do to achieve a healthy planet. Q&A to follow the event.

Bio: 

Dr. Sailesh Rao has over three decades of professional experience and is the Founder and Executive Director of Climate Healers, a non-profit dedicated towards healing the Earth’s climate. A systems specialist with a Ph. D. in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University, Dr. Rao worked on the internet communications infrastructure for twenty years after graduation. During this period, he led the transformation of early analog internet connections to more robust digital connections that also ran ten times faster, at 1Gb/s. In 2006, he switched careers and became deeply immersed, full time, in solving the environmental crises affecting humanity. Dr. Rao is the author of two books, Carbon Dharma: The Occupation of Butterflies and Carbon Yoga: The Vegan Metamorphosis, and an Executive Producer of four documentaries, The Human Experiment (2013), Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret (2014), What The Health (2017), and A Prayer for Compassion (2019).

Dr. Rao is a Human, Earth and Animal Liberation (HEAL) activist, husband, dad and since 2010, a star-struck grandfather. He has promised his granddaughter, Kimaya, that the world will be largely Vegan before she turns 16 in 2026, so that people will stop eating her relatives, the animals. He has faith that humanity will transform to keep his pinky promise to Kimaya, not just for ethical reasons, but also out of sheer ecological necessity.

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Lose Those Pandemic Pounds with a Plant/Slant Plan with Joan Davis, RN, MS
Mar
28
3:00 PM15:00

Lose Those Pandemic Pounds with a Plant/Slant Plan with Joan Davis, RN, MS

Covid-19 has brought unwanted extra pounds for many Americans. Months of stress and inactivity have resulted in unwelcome weight gain. Fortunately, there are steps we can take to control our weight! On March 28 at 3PM, Joan Davis will be presenting a proven plant-based strategy for successful long-term weight loss. Join us virtually to learn the research based approach to losing weight and keeping it off. 

All in-person attendees are required to wear masks and practice social distancing. Event will be hosted at the Salient Lifestyle Clinic 1141 Bode Rd, Elgin, IL 60120


About Joan Davis


Having discovered what her medical education did not prepare her for, Joan is determined to share her life-saving knowledge. As a master-prepared nurse with over 20 years of wellness experience, she thought she knew about nutrition—until her active, seemingly-healthy husband had a sudden, totally unexpected heart attack. Afterwards, the couple reevaluated their lifestyle. Joan earned a certificate in plant-based nutrition and volunteered for Dr. Michael Greger’s NutritionFacts.org. Using her teaching background, she developed programs that share the “why” and “how” of eating whole plant-based foods. She currently presents a variety of programs at community colleges, libraries and community organizations focusing on healthy nutrition and lifestyle.

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Protecting Your  Immunity with Nutrition with Carol D'Anca
Feb
21
3:00 PM15:00

Protecting Your Immunity with Nutrition with Carol D'Anca

About this Event

Over the past several months, we have become aware of the risks of infection with COVID-19. Washing our hands, wearing masks, and practicing social distancing are important safety measures against the spread of infection. However, our best defense against the virus is ensuring we have a strong immune system. While we may not often think about it, a strong relationship exists between our dietary choices and our immunity. Join Advisory Council Member and licensed dietician nutritionist Carol D’Anca, as she shares 8 tips for building a strong immunity, four of which are related to diet. Q&A will follow the event! 

About Carol D'Anca

Carol D’Anca, MS, CNS, LDN, became aware of the vast differences in dietary choices within the U.S. early in life, igniting a life-long pursuit of the study of nutrition as it relates to the prevention and reversal of chronic illness. She is a licensed dietician nutritionist advocating for a whole food plant-based diet. In addition to serving as a nutrition practitioner, Carol is an author and speaker. Her presentations have helped raise awareness and inspire dietary and lifestyle modification for thousands of people.

She has recently been designated as one of 16 top nutritionists in Chicago by Expertise.com. and is featured on Plant Based Doctors.

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Vegan Food Demo with Jill Keb
Nov
15
3:00 PM15:00

Vegan Food Demo with Jill Keb

The Vegan Museum presents a plant-based/vegan food demonstration from Food for Life instructor Jill Keb. Jill will be showing just how easy it is to prepare healthy plant-based meals and how eating plant-based foods can improve one's health. Attendees will even receive the recipes take home with them after the presentation.

Jill has embraced a vegetarian since 1998. After receiving her B.S. in psychology, Keb became a certified food educator through the Food Studies Institute in N. Y. In 2005, Keb wrote and produced an eighty minute DVD; Change Your Food, Change Your Life and launched websites www.VeganGal.com & HealthyFactsInc.com.

In 2008 Jill became a Food For Life Instructor with PCRM. A Washington D.C. non-for-profit, The Physician’s Committee for Responsible Medicine serves up life-changing classes on Weight-Loss and the prevention of Cancer and Diabetes all over the world.

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World Vegan Day with Dr. Ashwani Garg
Nov
1
3:00 PM15:00

World Vegan Day with Dr. Ashwani Garg

Can veganism transform your health? Lifestyle physician Dr. Ashwani Garg dives into the research to discover how eliminating animal products can drastically improve your quality of life. Learn the different ways animal and plant products interact with our body. Discover the nutritional benefits of plant based eating. See what the science has to say about nutritional choices on Sunday, Nov 1st at 3PM.

About the Speaker: Dr. Garg is a family physician in Barrington, Ill. He was in private practice for 15 years and was inspired by the movie "Forks Over Knives" and CNN’s “The Last Heart Attack” to adopt a plant-based diet and to work with his patients on healthy lifestyle changes including a whole food, plant-based diet. He is now board-certified in lifestyle medicine in addition to having completed a certificate in plant-based nutrition, and has adopted an integrative approach to his medical care for all ages, birth and up. He completed a degree in biomedical engineering and medical school from Northwestern University, after which he attended family medicine residency at Hinsdale Hospital.

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