The fearless leader of the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists is Mike Wilson, Farm Futures. In the most recent IFAJ newsletter Mike let us know that the organization is working to help out those in need in Japan. As he mentions, those of us involved in IFAJ have developed long lasting relationships with our Japanese counterparts. Cindy and I participated in the 2007 IFAJ Congress that took place in Sendai and will never forget our experience and time there.
We are all aware of the devastation that has taken place in Japan. IFAJ held its 2007 Congress in Sendai, where much of the earthquake and tsunami damage has taken place. Many of our members have built life-long relationships with our colleagues in Japan. Now we want to help. The President of Japan Agricultural Journalists Association (JAJA) has issued a statement that you can read here on our website.
We have been in touch with Japan IFAJ executive representative Masaru Yamada for the past several days as we work to develop a coordinated relief effort through IFAJ. Our organization will be collecting donations that will be used specifically to help our fellow agricultural communicators and their families. IFAJ is facilitating the collection of donations from members through electronic transfers of funds initially to the bank account of IFAJ, for onward transfer of a single combined sum to JAJA in due course.
If you want to make a donation to the Japanese IFAJ relief effort, contact your IFAJ executive in your country.