Local Leaders, Lasting Change: Reflections from AVA Summit Thailand 2026

As a veterinarian and animal welfare expert with World Animal Protection, working through the Investing in Others (IiO) Programme and the Farmed Animal Network Southeast Asia (FANSEA), I see my role as extending beyond technical expertise. It is also strengthening local organisations, nurturing leadership, building partnerships, and supporting a movement capable of lasting change. 

Having completed the third phase of Investing in Others in August 2026, I attended the summit with a clear purpose: to explore opportunities for IiO 4.0, connect with potential grantees and broaden my understanding of the movement. Engaging with advocates and organisations across Asia allowed me to learn about different approaches to farmed animal advocacy and to identify potential partners whose local leadership could drive meaningful progress. 

Reflections and Insights

One of my key reflections is how much the farmed animal welfare movement in Asia is evolving, driven by locally led solutions that are grounded in context. I was struck by the diversity of approaches, from community engagement and corporate campaigns to policy advocacy, alternative protein development and veterinary capacity-building, each reflecting a deep understanding of local realities.

As a veterinarian, I found the discussions on animal welfare science particularly valuable. Welfare improvements must be practical, measurable and adaptable to local farming systems. Science matters most when it translates into tangible improvements in animals’ lives, not just in theory. 

Another insight was the importance of movement infrastructure. Many organisations across Asia work in isolation, with limited access to regional networks, peer learning or coordinated advocacy. This is where FANSEA can play a transformative role. 

Expanding FANSEA's Network

FANSEA grew out of the Investing in Others programme. Beyond funding individual projects, IiO set out to build a network in the region where local organisations could connect, learn from one another and work together. FANSEA is that network taking shape.

The summit opened my eyes to the opportunity to expand FANSEA beyond its current Southeast Asian focus. I met advocates and organisations from across Asia whose work aligns closely with FANSEA’s mission but who are not yet part of the network. Bringing them in would strengthen their work and enrich the network with new perspectives and expertise. 

I see FANSEA as more than a regional network. It can be a platform for cross-regional collaboration, peer learning and collective action, and potentially a bridge between Asia and other regions facing similar challenges. 

This experience deepened my understanding of what it means to invest in others. It is about more than regranting to projects. It means recognising locally led initiatives, understanding the contexts in which organisations operate, and giving them opportunities to strengthen their capacity, expertise and influence. As a veterinarian, I believe animal welfare science must go hand in hand with investment in people and systems, because lasting change depends on both. 

Looking Ahead: IiO 4.0 and FANSEA

As we look towards IiO 4.0, the challenge is to turn these connections and insights into thoughtful partnerships and strategic investments. The summit was a valuable opportunity to identify potential grantees: organisations grounded in local leadership and contextually relevant solutions, with the potential to drive change. We can support their development through IiO 4.0 while considering how they might also connect to, and benefit from, FANSEA. 

This means strengthening the collective capacity of the movement rather than focusing solely on individual projects, and being intentional about expanding FANSEA’s reach, both within Southeast Asia and across the wider region. 

For me, the summit showed that global collaboration creates opportunities, Asian leadership drives contextually relevant solutions, and strong local organisations turn those opportunities into lasting change. The real value of a summit lies not only in the conversations we have, but in what we do with the knowledge, relationships and opportunities that follow. 

As we move from IiO 3.0 to IiO 4.0, I remain committed to bridging veterinary expertise, investment in local leadership and regional collaboration, to help build a stronger farmed animal welfare movement and deliver meaningful improvements for farmed animals across Southeast Asia and beyond. 

This blog was written by Nattar MANEEWAN (Kwan), Animal Welfare Consultant at World Animal Protection.