I’ve been trying to get Cindy to start writing on AgWired but she has found other ways to help out with content. However, on this IFAJ Congress trip she decided to at least write one article for me to post for her. In the picture you can see her in the little village where we had lunch yesterday. I’ll have more on that.
This is Cindy speaking now instead of Chuck for a change, just providing some of my observations of our visit here in Switzerland.
First of all, it has been a bit surreal being here with all the disaster going on back in the states. Even though we are so far away, our thoughts and prayers are with everyone there. It has been interesting, agonizing and distressing – to watch the coverage on CNN International. I am sure there is just as much “blame game” going on in the US but it seems especially biased here in Europe. People here seem to be intent upon blaming the United States administration for this disaster. It is also interesting that the city where we are staying in Switzerland was flooded just a week or so ago. There is absolutely no sign of it now.
This congress has been just fascinating. It has been so interesting to talk with ag journalists from other countries and to see how well everyone relates to each other. I met ag journalists from all over the world – Ireland, Australia, Albania, Bangledesh, Nepal, Germany, Switzerland, Japan, Canada, Spain, Norway….etc. I was just awe-struck last night watching this group all dancing together and singing songs like “Sweet Caroline” and “Twist and Shout”. It was so cool.
All I could think of during this trip was – why are there no NAFB members here? This is a fantastic organization, which includes broadcasters as well as print people, and we all face the same challenges and concerns. The group reminds me of NAFB – they are very close knit and many have been involved in this organization for 50 years. Note to US farm broadcasters….plan to attend this meeting if you can next year. It will be in Norway next year, Japan in ’07, Austria in ’08, and the US in ’09.
It looks like the U-S meeting will be in Texas. I can assure you that it will be worth your time.
AgWired reports on IFAJ Congress 2005 are sponsored by Pioneer Hi-Bred.