Michel Vandenbosch

Michel Vandenbosch is an animal rights activist and philosopher. He is the Chairman of GAIA.

Life and Work

Michel Vandenbosch was born on 23 July 1961, in a working class family in Belgium. He studied moral philosophy at Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB.)

He began his career as the Belgian representative for the International Primate Protection League. Later he became campaigns director and spokesperson for Veeweyde, an animal protection organization in Anderlecht, Belgium.

On June 10, 1992, he and Ann De Greef founded the animal welfare organization, Global Action in the Interest of Animals (GAIA); Vandenbosch has since been the president of the organization. GAIA conducts campaigns against organized animal abuse and lobbies for greater respect for animals.

In 1995, Louis Tobback, the mayor of Leuven, praised Vandenbosch's work and banned street horse races in Sint-Eloois-Winkel and Krombeke in West Flanders.

His animal rights activism led to his election as "Man of the Year 2000" by the readers of Humo, a popular weekly magazine in Belgium. 

In addition, Vandenbosch is currently on the board of Eurogroup for Animals and is a member of the Advisory Council of the Belgian Food Safety Authority.

Quotes

When we are in the comfort of our own homes, it seems so easy to be disconnected from what happens thousands of miles away. But when you actually see what goes on, it is impossible to ignore.

Farm animals deserve no less than to be protected by dedicated people whose perseverance, competence and professionalism lead to ongoing progress. That is exactly what Compassion in World Farming stands for and that is why I am proud to be a member of Compassion's Board of Trustees.