Welcome to Community Spotlight, a series in which we learn more about the members of our vibrant New Roots Institute Fellow and Alumni network. Below, Christopher Isu, Co-Organizer at Effective Altruism Nigeria, shares how they discovered radical empathy and the importance of community in their advocacy.
“I am the Co-organizer (Volunteer) at Effective Animal Advocacy Nigeria (EAAN). I have a Business Administration and Management degree from Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic, Unwana, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
I have gained some experience in sustainable environment and food system advocacy through the Food Banking model, where I worked as a Food Rescue officer before pivoting into the animal welfare movement. I have led educational outreach campaigns in schools and moderated several EA Nigeria Events. I am the Volunteer Lead Organizer of the Eat for Impact Initiative in Nigeria with Planted Society.
I am open to learning more about how to make the highest common positive impact on the world.”
“One of my favorite memories has been learning about how interconnected the issue of factory farming is with every other urgent global issue. It’s something I had never given thought to, even though I deeply resonate with environmental sustainability and food systems advocacy. One of my big wins is launching and leading the Eat for Impact campaign in Nigeria in collaboration with New Roots Institute and Planted Society and spreading knowledge about the impact of factory farming to more than 100 people through my New Roots Educational Outreach campaign.”
"I can provide mentorship to fellows who want to delve into advocacy or find their path within community building. Likewise, I'm also very much open to mentorship, as I would like to keep refining my advocacy and community-building skills. I am looking forward to working full-time within the movement in the future."
“It all started when I learned about Effective Altruism after attending the EA Nigeria Annual Retreat. I wanted to know more about Effective Altruism because, as a serial volunteer, I felt connected to the work at EA. From there, I applied for the EA Intro Fellowship Program. While reading through one of the weekly assignments on radical empathy, I became conscious of animal welfare and developed my compassion for animals. During week eight of the EA Intro Fellowship, I shared with my facilitator that I would like to delve more into the animal welfare issues, and shared that there are organizations working in that course area. That’s how I bumped into the New Roots Institute fellowship program application. I have been speaking about animal welfare and environmental sustainability ever since.”
“It is important to state here that the movement has its ups and downs, especially depending on the part of the world where you are located. I would advise anyone starting their advocacy journey to be open-minded and ready to learn and unlearn, be persistent, and look out for a community of like-minded individuals to cool off with when you feel you are losing it. Look for a mentor or someone you look up to, always take care of yourself, and be optimistic.”
“All the small and big positive impacts we are all making in our different corners of advocacy, which I believe will culminate into a larger impact for a sustainable future.”
New Roots Institute is a nonprofit empowering the next generation with knowledge and training to end factory farming. Through our leadership development programs, fellows take what they learn about the food system and put it into practice by launching campaigns that challenge industrial animal agriculture. We are strengthening the movement—spreading change from individuals to their communities, and expanding outward into wider systems-level change.
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