Celebrating 60 years with new leadership

Representatives from 41 countries at the 60th IFAJ Delegate Assembly in Bonn, Germany, elected new leadership to the Presidium this week.

Owen Roberts becomes the first Canadian in the history of the organization to serve as president, taking over from Markus Rediger of Switzerland who stepped down after completing four very successful years at the helm of IFAJ. Roberts previously held the positions of Secretary General and Vice-president in the Presidium before becoming President.

Roberts is joined by Lena Johansson from Sweden who replaces him as Vice-president, and Steve Werblow from the United States as Secretary General, all for two-year mandates. Adrian Bell from the United Kingdom continues in his mandate as Treasurer. Please see attached profiles for more details on the new IFAJ Presidium.

“Professional and leadership development of journalists and communicators specializing in agriculture is an essential component in ensuring the communication of information to contribute to an increase in sustainable food production,” said Owen Roberts. He thanked Markus Rediger for his leadership over the last four years, especially with regard to constitutional changes that have opened up membership in IFAJ for many developing countries, as well as the support provided by Riitta Mustonen of Finland for her four years as Secretary General.

“I look forward to continuing the work to make IFAJ a truly global organization that will support agricultural journalists and communicators, and their country associations, in their efforts to defend freedom of the press and ensure a level of professional development equal to the task of providing sufficient food to a very hungry world,” Roberts concluded.

IFAJ is a non-political, professional association for agricultural journalists in 46 countries and supports and encourages the practice of agricultural journalism through member associations that embrace freedom of the press. IFAJ gives agricultural journalists and communicators a platform for professional development and international networking.