The Party for the Animals - A Political Party Committed to the Welfare of Our Animal Friends

Ms. Esther Ouwehand represents the Party for the Animals in accepting the Shining World Leadership Award.

On June 1, Golden Year 3 (2006), representatives of The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association presented the Shining World Leadership Award to the Partij voor de Dieren (Party for the Animals) in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The award was accepted by Ms. Esther Ouwehand, Director of the Amsterdam Bureau office. Instead of taking place indoors, the event was held in the Vondel Park, a lovely and fitting reminder that all animals should be able to enjoy the beauty and peace provided by nature.

The Party for the Animals is a political party whose single aim is to improve and protect the well-being of animals. This party believes that the most effective way to improve the treatment of animals is to create laws ensuring their protection. Through its historic campaign in the 2004 EU elections, the Party's noble and honest message attracted the affection of millions of Dutch citizens. It now has so many voters that the party is likely to enter the Dutch Parliament in 2007 and has a fair chance to become part of the European Parliament after the next elections. The Party for the Animals has also become an inspiration and paragon of excellence for animal welfare groups around the world. As more and more countries follow this party's noble lead, living conditions for billions of animals worldwide will improve dramatically and true love for all beings will prevail.

An interview with Ms. Ouwehand after the award ceremony

During an interview after the award ceremony, Ms. Ouwehand said that the Party was very honored to receive the Shining World Leadership Award, as they see it as an encouragement to continue their work. She explained that the party was created in 2002 at a time when no political parties in the Netherlands addressed the issue of animal welfare. Since then, its members have worked to stop cruelty against animals in the food industry and to raise awareness regarding animal rights, such as restricting hunting practices and the use of laboratory animals, many thousands of whom die every year in the Netherlands.

When asked what the Party thinks about vegetarianism, Ms. Ouwehand said that being a vegetarian not only benefits animals, but humans and the environment as well. She thanked Master once again for the Award, and said that she wishes Master success in Her extraordinary work for animals and the world.

Award Letter to the Party for the Animals

The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association P.O. Box 9, Hsi Hu, Miao Li, Formosa R.O.C April 12, 2006   Partij voor de Dieren Postbus 92082 1090 AB Amsterdam The Netherlands Honorable Representatives of the Partij voor de Dieren: ----It is with great pleasure and admiration that we present the Partij voor de Dieren the Shining World Leadership Award. This Award is presented in recognition of outstanding effort and enlightened leadership in creating a bright future for the world and all humanity, with compliments and gratitude for exemplary kindness. ----Since its inception in 2002, the Partij voor de Dieren has worked ceaselessly to elevate the status of the most neglected and mistreated inhabitants of the Earth. Through wisdom and skillful means, and by virtue of its true sincerity and purity of motive, the Partij has achieved unprecedented success in garnering the patronage of the greatest leaders of Dutch culture and in winning the affection of millions of Dutch citizens. Through its historic campaign in the 2004 EU elections, the Partij’s noble and honest message spread throughout the European Union. The Partij has since become an inspiration and paragon of excellence for animal welfare groups around the world. ----We hereby applaud and celebrate the great deeds of the Partij voor de Dieren. With great Honor, Love, and Blessings, The Supreme Master Ching Hai