[GUELPH, Canada, July 16, 2012] — Participants have been selected for the inaugural six-day IFAJ Exposure-4-Development media tour, to Kenya, in November. The tour is designed to offer IFAJ members an opportunity to visit a developing country, meet with farmers there, visit their grassroots organizations and talk to experts.
The 15 participants for the 2012 tour are:
– Jeanne Bernick, USA
– Maria Brunsgaard, Denmark
– Chris Clayton, USA
– Natalia Ferroni, Switzerland
– Carlos Hernández, Spain
– Izak Hofmeyr, South Africa
– Douwe Korting, Netherlands
– Tamara Leigh, Canada
– Satu Lehtonen, Finland
– Chris McCullough, UK/Ireland
– Ayanda Mdluli, South Africa
– Christian Mühlhausen, Germany
– Moe Toyoda, Japan
– Luc van Dijck, Belgium
– Branko Vrabec, Slovenia
“It’s an honour to be named to this elite group of IFAJ members from around the world, embarking for the first time on such a unique and significant initiative,” says Owen Roberts, IFAJ Secretary General and presidium member in charge of professional development. “I believe the stories, photos and videos generated by the participants will help promote a deeper understanding of global food production and farming issues in the developing world.”
Applications were reviewed by a selection committee consisting of Prof. Laurens Klerkx, an assistant professor of science communications at Wageningen University and Dr. Cees van Rij, head of building farmer-led businesses for Agriterra, the tour organizing- and coordinating body. The selection process was reviewed and overseen by Antonio Brunori, IFAJ executive member from Italy.
Selection criteria included a review of each candidate’s previously published or broadcast work, their readership, listenership or viewership, and their letter of reference.
IFAJ recognizes Jose van Gelder of Agriterra for her leadership and commitment to organizing the Exposure-4-Development tour, and thanks the event sponsors British American Tobacco, AGCO, Grain Farmers of Ontario, Interpolis, VION Food Group and Agriterra.
Contacts:
Owen Roberts owen(at)uoguelph.ca 1-519-835-4744 (Canada)
Jose van Gelder vanGelder(at)agriterra.com 31-25-354-2079 (Netherlands)
