In Berlin, the IFAJ Host Country Liaison Committee (HCLC) affirmed its aim is to help host countries in whatever way possible. The HCLC reviewed the 2005 congress held in Switzerland (lessons learned and recommendations will be added to the "Congress Guidelines" document. In response to an enquiry from New Zealand about the possibility of hosting the IFAJ congress in 2007, the HCLC has advised that this would not be possible due to the programme of congresses already planned. Emails are being exchanged about a possible alternative event to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the New Zealand Guild of Agricultural Journalists. Looking at forthcoming congresses, in order, the HCLC noted: 2006: NORWAY "Feed Your Senses" Saturday August 12 until Wednesday August 16. Pre-congress and post-congress tours available. Details, including cost, are on website www.ifaj.org and the committee was advised that registration will be possible via website from 14 January and payment can be made by credit card (as requested by HCLC in response to members). There is a discount for early booking. As this is the 50th anniversary congress of IFAJ, some special features are being incorporated in the programme (in liaison with the Presidium). 2007: JAPAN Monday September 17 until Sunday September 23. For the 51st IFAJ Congress, which is the first congress in "Real Asia", three concepts will be examined. 1. Japan as a market - the world's biggest net importer of food. 2. Rice as the staple food and the rice growing as culture. 3. Life in rural area of Japan. Including accommodations, food and transport within Japan, the congress will cost from 1000 euro (for "early booking" and "budget hotel"). A pre-congress tour in Kyoto is being arranged (at extra cost). Internet based registration will be available early 2007. Contact in the meantime is Masaru Yamada email yamada@jaja.cside.ne.jp 2008: AUSTRIA and SLOVENIA Wednesday September 17 until Sunday September 21, "From the mountains to the sea". Contact is Josef Siffert email j.siffert@pklwk.at 2009: USA where Mike Wilson and Andy Markwart jointly chair the organizing committee. Possible location is Fort Worth, Texas. 2010: Possibly BELGIUM 2011: CANADA. The HCLC was delighted to recommend acceptance of an application from Canada to host the IFAJ congress in 2011 (this was enthusiastically endorsed by the IFAJ Executive committee) TOP