On May 14, 2016, In Defense of Animals’ Dr. Toni Frohoff spoke at an agenda-setting conference in Brussels, Belgium, about our interdependence with dolphins and whales.

Dr. Frohoff has spent decades studying dolphins and whales in the wild. Our relationship with these beings is ever changing, and there is an urgent need for us to improve it, by replacing outdated concepts of cetaceans as resources in order to respect them as autonomous beings, as nonhuman persons, and recognizing their inherent right to freedom and life. At the conference, Dr. Frohoff presented her pioneering research with the numerous free-ranging belugas, orcas and bottlenose dolphins who have initiated sociable contact and communication with humans – on their terms – as well as the great potential for improved interdependence, communication, cohabitation and even collaboration with other species.

Mutual understanding and respect between our species is only possible when we humans change our behavior and mindsets. If we are to learn to thrive mutually and live in a truly peaceful world, we must overcome our human-clouded lens and use a more animal-centric and earth-centric approach to our shared planet.

Scientists, policy makers, and prominent thinkers from all over the world presented at the Interdependence Conference to discuss the status of living beings, nonhuman legal rights, and to deliver the all-important message of mutual respect. Organized by Planète-Vie  and the Jane Goodall Institute Europe, the conference promoted solidarity between humanity and all other forms of life on Earth, and called into question many fundamental aspects and attitudes within our societies that are laying waste to the planet. World famous primatologist Dr. Jane Goodall and philosopher-scientist Dr. Matthieu Ricard  called for humanity to move forward with compassion as a guiding principle. These cutting edge topics  are being explored in an upcoming documentary to show our crucial need for interdependence with our fellow beings.

We encourage you to show your support for “a new vision of Life on Earth and its interdependent nature” by signing the Interdependence Pact. It is a comprehensive call to the European Union and Member States to do what is necessary to reduce their ecological footprint, increase animal welfare and environmental protection funding, and more.

Watch Dr. Toni’s presentation at the Interdependence Symposium, here (second-video- box-up-from-the-bottom, beginning at 1:07).