As RE widens its scope and moves towards a worldviews paradigm, aiming to prepare children and young people for life in a complex multi-religious and multi-secular world, studying ethical veganism offers opportunities to examine the dynamics between religions and worldviews. Ethical veganism, a rapidly growing, practice-based philosophical belief, protected under the Equality Act (2010) and in European law, can be understood as a non-religious worldview, but also, for many people, it is a worldview deeply intertwined with religious belief and practice. Sometimes it is supported by religious teachings and doctrines and sometimes it presents challenges to them. Ethical veganism, and the issues relating to it, provides a rich field of study for children and young people as veganism increasingly becomes part of our collective consciousness in everyday life – whether in shops and restaurants, or in discussions ranging beyond our treatment of animals to environmental responsibility, human health, social justice, and of course, religion and belief.

Empathy and compassion are the founding principles in most religious and ethical traditions. Veganism is ultimately a philosophy of compassion. By extending our circle of compassion to all living beings, we can stimulate the development of empathy in children which will help them improve all of their interpersonal relationships. This teaching approach also complements school goals of social-emotional learning, anti-bullying initiatives and creating global citizens responsible for ensuring a more ethical, just and sustainable world.