IFAJ names 10 outstanding agricultural journalists for 2023 Master Class

The International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ) has named 10 outstanding agricultural journalists to participate in the 2023 IFAJ/Corteva Agriscience Master Class.

This year’s Master Class includes journalists from Africa, Latin and Central America, Central and South Asia and Europe.

According to the IFAJ Secretary General, Adalberto Rossi, the 13th yearly Master Class will be held in conjunction with IFAJ’s World Congress in Calgary, Alberta, Canada from June 24 to 26, 2023. Master Class participants will then participate in the 2023 IFAJ World Congress to be held in Olds, Alberta from June 27 to July 3, 2023.

This year’s Master Class includes – Diego Mañas (Argentina); Shahanuare Shaid Shahin (Bangladesh); Mariana Silva (Brazil); Sofia Spirou (Greece); Mezhukanal Cherian Dominic (India); Ulan Eshmatov (Krygyzstan); Joseph Titus Yekeryan (Liberia); Georgia Chirombo (Malawi); Alberto Ruiz (Mexico); and Mustapha Kamara (Sierre Leone).

“Corteva Agriscience is thrilled to continue our sponsorship of the IFAJ’s Master Class Programme, which offers outstanding agricultural journalists from around the world an incredible professional development experience,” said Kris Allen, External Communications Lead at Corteva Agriscience. “These journalists have a critical role in communicating about the importance and need for agriculture in society. We look forward to seeing them in Alberta this year.”

A special two-day Master Class programme prior to the start of Congress will include workshops on journalism best practices, press freedom issues, interviewing skills, leadership development and networking. The Master Class will include farm visits and reporting workshops, as well as round-table discussions of pressing issues facing agricultural journalists in the field.

According to Rossi, “These 10 outstanding colleagues have already distinguished themselves through their skills as journalists, and they are already leaders in their communities. With the generous support of Corteva Agriscience, the Master Class programme provides them an opportunity to engage in professional development, leadership training and networking on an international level.”

“Over the years, alumni have taken the lessons and network connections home from Master Class to establish agricultural journalism guilds in their home countries, strengthening agricultural journalism and helping build IFAJ,” Rossi added. “Many guilds that are now part of our federation have been led or strengthened by alumni of the Master Class program over the past decade.

“This group will bring their insights and skills from around the world, and we are looking forward to meeting them, working beside them, and learning from them,” he concluded.

At the IFAJ Congress, Master Class participants will join with colleagues from around the world. IFAJ is the only global organisation dedicated to agricultural journalism and communications, and represents more than 60 nations.