The International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ) has named 10 outstanding agricultural journalists to participate in the 2023 IFAJ/Corteva Agriscience Master Class. The 13th annual Master Class will be held in conjunction with IFAJ’s World Congress in Calgary, Alberta from 24 to 26 June 2023. Master Class participants will then participate in the 2023 IFAJ World Congress to be held in Olds, Alberta from 27 June to 3 July 2023.

This year’s Master Class includes:

Argentina – Diego Mañas

Bangladesh – Shahanuare Shaid Shahin

Brazil – Mariana Silva

Greece – Sofia Spirou

India – Mezhukanal Cherian Dominic

Krygyzstan – Ulan Eshmatov

Liberia – Joseph Titus Yekeryan

Malawi – Georgia Chirombo

Mexico – Alberto Ruiz

Sierre Leone – Mustapha Kamara

“Corteva Agriscience is thrilled to continue our sponsorship of the IFAJ’s Master Class Program, 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 program 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.

“These 10 outstanding colleagues have already distinguished themselves through their skills as journalists, and they are already leaders in their communities,” said Adalberto Rossi, IFAJ Secretary General. “With the generous support of Corteva Agriscience, the Master Class program 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 organization dedicated to agricultural journalism and communications, and represents more than 60 nations.