- Four months ago, a mother from Gipuzkoa delivered 3700 signatures to the Department of Education of the Basque Government and the Ararteko, according to EiTB. Her request was to put a vegan menu in all the canteens of educational centers and ikastolas of the Basque Country. So far, both via change.org and via hand, more than 4000 signatures have been collected.
In 2012 a family from Vitoria-Gasteiz has already collected 2200 signatures and since 2012-2013 the Basque Government managed to make a compulsory offer of this vegetarian menu (without vegans) in Basque public schools, as it was already doing with a menu for Muslims without meat.
In the ikastolas and in the concerted schools, while for Muslims there is a no-pork menu, no special menus are offered for vegans. It is a dramatic discrimination, while accepting a different diet for a religious reason (even if it is protected by law), for such respectable ethical reasons it systematically denies others.
Article 14 of the Spanish Constitution reads as follows:
"Spaniards are equal before the law and cannot be discriminated against on the basis of birth, sex, religion or any other personal or social condition or circumstance."
We want to stress that the fact that a person is vegan has nothing to do with fair food or fashion, but with an ethical attitude towards life.
"As in some European countries, we only ask for a vegan option in the dining rooms of all educational centers in Euskal Herria
As in some European countries, we only ask for a vegan option in the dining rooms of all educational centers in Euskal Herria. No increase in costs per student and progress in the normalization of this type of food in society. At the same time, we ask that this menu be balanced and of quality, as the menu that is being offered so far is based only on eggs and soy. There are many foods that can be used to get vegetable proteins.
The world's most famous nutritionist societies say:
“Well-planned vegetarian and vegan diets are healthy, nutritionally appropriate and can provide health benefits in the prevention and care of certain diseases. Well-planned vegetarian diets are appropriate for all phases of the life cycle, during pregnancy, childhood and adolescence and for athletes."
Article 10 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union states that:
"Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. This right implies the right to change the religion or beliefs of each individual or collective, both in public and in private, through worship, teaching, observance of activities and rites, and explanation of their religion or beliefs. "
The decision to offer a vegan menu cannot be left to the good will of each public or concerted center, it must be a right of children and of families recognized and regulated by the Department of Education of the Basque Government.
"From the trade union section of Education of the CGT-LKN trade union of Bizkaia, through the FEUMVE Association, in the Basque Country and in the State, the struggle for a differentiated and suitable menu for vegan children in the dining rooms of all public and concerted centres is being promoted and supported"
"Article 2 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child states that: “The rights should apply to all children without distinction and without distinction of race, colour, sex, language, religion, ethnic or social origin, opinion, economic position, physical disability or any other condition of the child or father. The State shall take measures to protect the child against all discrimination."
To stop this child discrimination, the FEUMVE (Families by A Vegan Menu School) association has been created and the movement has already spread to other communities and territories of the Spanish State. To make society aware, they have prepared a short film that has had over 2000 views in three months: Do you want to change the movie?
The FEUMVE Association was born to obtain vegan opportunities in all schools. They say that being vegan is a right that goes hand in hand with the ethics and morals of each person. Veganism is a lifestyle based on respect for animals, society and land. Educational establishments and ikastolas should be inclusive and respect this possibility. There are children who have suffered bullying for being veganos.Segun FEUMVE, diversity must be respected in all schools and ikastolas, including canteens.
From the trade union section of Education of the CGT-LKN trade union of Bizkaia, through the FEUMVE association, in the Basque Country and in the State, the struggle for a differentiated and appropriate menu for vegan children in the dining rooms of all public and concerted centres is being promoted and supported: They have presented a declaration in the Department of Education, are helping to publicise the initiative in the Basque educational community and are engaged in collecting signatures in favour of this petition.
Noelia Estraviz
President of FEUMVE.