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Professional development and education: giving IFAJ members what they’ve asked for By Owen Roberts, Canada Chair, Professional development and education committee In separate surveys, IFAJ members have said they most value the association for the professional development opportunities they’re afforded. And, they say one of things they’re most concerned about is where the next generation of agricultural journalists will come from. With those matters in mind, IFAJ struck a professional development and education committee. The committee -- Owen Roberts, Canada (chair); Lelio Bernardi, Italy; Martin Kugler, Austria; Greg Lamp, USA; and Jacques van Outryve, Belgium – met at the IFAJ executive committee meeting in Dublin in September, 2004, to discuss its mandate with regards to IFAJ News, the IFAJ website (www.ifaj.org), national associations, new members, Congress and executive committee. Duties identified and presented include: helping coordinate "how-to" stories for the newsletter and website. surveying association executives to identify desirable professional development topics at the association, executive and Congress level. helping deliver these topics by suggesting and/or providing instructors and speakers, and/or by working with the finance and sponsorships committee to provide some level of financial support. offering advice on ways to improve the IFAJ photography contest and writing competition. helping facilitate the fledgling IFAJ journalists' exchange program. helping facilitate a publication and information exchange at Congresses. working with the communications committee to introduce IFAJ and its member associations to key college and university instructors involved in journalism education. If you have any ideas related to the committee’s mandate or activities, please contact Owen Roberts at owen@uoguelph.ca TOP