The International Federation of Agricultural Journalists’ new website kind of snuck up on me but it’s now live.
The IFAJ has a new website. The site carries many of the same features as before, but with a fresh new look, and in a format that is much easier to nativigate. Work is still being done on expanding and refining the content. In the meantime, we would be pleased to hear your thoughts and suggestions.
But that’s what the IFAJ newsletter is for. To let us know what’s going on. You can find the latest edition here. In it is a link to new IFAJ President, Mike Wilson’s first column.
I’m deeply honored and humbled to be taking on the leadership reins of the IFAJ following the successful terms of our past president David Markey. I plan to give this challenge my best effort and I know I can count on the support of my colleagues here at home as well as overseas. I’m really looking forward to working with the new IFAJ presidium, as well as the new executive committee.
Over the past four years we have succeeded in changing the landscape of IFAJ from a social club into a professional service organization. I hope to build on that platform in the years ahead. We have a new 2015 strategic plan which was approved by delegates at the 2008 Congress. I believe implementing the key elements of this plan will help our members build on their professional skills as well as their networking opportunities around the world. I also believe it will help grow the organization in the future.
The industry agricultural journalists cover is becoming increasingly global in nature. As journalists, we should also extend our network beyond our national borders. The IFAJ is a natural conduit toward accomplishing this professional task.
An ag journalist succeeds by getting to know people. The IFAJ offers many ways to develop new contacts outside of a journalist’s traditional circle: face-to-face at IFAJ meetings, through newsletters, or the website, for example. These contacts serve the journalist now and in the future; they may be useful in planning future stories or foreign travel.
IFAJ breaks down stereotypes and other barriers to understanding, on a personal as well as professional level. As IFAJ members we learn about each other’s professional challenges. IFAJ helps build real bonds between journalists from different cultures and countries.
Over the years I’ve been involved in IFAJ, I’ve learned a lot about the many cultural differences between people in different countries. These differences are what we celebrate at each congress, and they are what make our world so interesting.
I’ve also learned that we have many things in common with each other. While we may not all share the same language, we all speak the common language of agriculture, and of service to others.
The differences between us are the things that make the IFAJ world interesting; but the things we share in common are what makes the IFAJ a family. I look forward to working with every IFAJ member to continue building on our success.