Animals are currently formally excluded from our democracies: their interests are, if at all, indirectly represented by the animal movement (see presentation by Tobias Sennhauser). In the last few years, voices within academia and the animal rights movement have been rising to ask for the adaptation of our democratic system to include animals.

After a review of the current state of the political representation of animals and animal protection in a few countries, we will explain why it is not enough. Furthermore, we will illustrate the theories of political representation (see presentation by Sara Alli Majid Abad) and discuss them. Eventually, we will brainstorm with the audience on the next steps within the movement and our societies to reach a fair multispecies democracy. For more information, check www.representinganimals.org.