Tobias Leenaert

Tobias Leenaert (, ; born 3 August 1973) is a Belgian animal rights and veganism activist, author, and educator. He promotes a pragmatic approach to activism. Leenaert has co-founded vegan and vegetarian advocacy organizations, including the Center for Effective Vegan Advocacy, ProVeg International and Ethical Vegetarian Alternative. He authored the book How to Create a Vegan World: A Pragmatic Approach in 2017 and writes the blog The Vegan Strategist.

Early life and education
Tobias Leenaert was born in Ghent on 3 August 1973. He studied German studies at Ghent University.

Activism


In 2000, Leenaert co-founded Ethical Vegetarian Alternative (EVA), in Flanders, which he led until 2015. He is the originator of Thursday Veggie Day in Ghent, which was launched in 2009. Leenaert is also the co-founder of the Center for Effective Vegan Advocacy, with Melanie Joy, as well as ProVeg International.

Leenaert advocates for a pragmatic approach to vegan activism, which doesn't rely on solely moral arguments. In 2017, he published the book How to Create a Vegan World: A Pragmatic Approach. He also writes the blog ''The Vegan Strategist. '' Leenaert's methods of advocacy has drawn criticism from abolitionist animal rights advocates, such as Roger Yates.

Leenaert gives lectures and workshops on vegan advocacy around the world. He has also written and spoken about wild-animal suffering, which he considers as important as the suffering of domesticated animals.

Personal life
Leenaert lives in Ghent with his partner, seven cats and two dogs. He identifies as an effective altruist.