The Open Wing Alliance: Fourth Annual Global Summit to End Cages

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event was hosted virtually for the first time ever. Originally scheduled to take place in person in Warsaw, Poland, this format allowed for a record number of activists to join together from all around the world.

More than 290 individuals from 67 different organizations in 55 countries tuned in for four days of training, networking, and strategic planning for future corporate cage-free campaigns to end the use of battery cages for egg-laying hens.

Accountability is Key

The Open Wing Alliance has secured nearly 2,000 global commitments from major corporations around the world to transition their supply chains to entirely cage-free environments. The majority of these companies have agreed to make these changes by 2025.

As these deadlines approach, it is important that we work with the companies to ensure they are held accountable for the commitments they made to eliminate cages from their supply chains. For this reason, this year’s Global Summit had a strong emphasis on accountability. We successfully adapted a roleplay workshop for accountability, giving attendees an opportunity to practice the recommended approach and negotiation tactics.

Activists also had the unique opportunity to hear from top executives from one of the world’s largest corporations that has committed to a cage-free policy. They shared status updates on the changes they have implemented, before answering questions from the global audience.

Stronger Together

During times of struggle, community is more important than ever. While we were unable to gather together in person this year, the virtual networking event provided a space for attendees to connect with one another and learn from new colleagues in other regions.

Due to the unprecedented crisis our world is experiencing, the Alliance decided to forgo the launch of a new global campaign, as originally planned. To prepare for the future and the next global campaign, activists were able to gain new ideas, strategies, and insights that will further strengthen their unstoppable force.

The collaboration of this year’s Global Summit demonstrated how effective and united the coalition stands. When the time comes to launch our next corporate campaign against cages, the Alliance will be ready and stronger than ever, together.