International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) selects Executive Director Markus Arbenz, currently Executive Director of Bio Suisse, to begin in August
BONN, Germany (17 March 2009)—After
a three-month worldwide search and review of dozens of qualified
applicants, the International Federation of Organic Agriculture
Movements (IFOAM) selected Markus Arbenz to serve as its next executive
director. Arbenz, currently the Executive Director of IFOAM member Bio
Suisse, will take up the leadership and management of operations and
oversee the 15 professional staff on 1 August 2009.
“Managing a
complex organization like IFOAM takes vision, diplomacy, energy, and
leadership skill. Markus is just the person for the job,” said
Katherine DiMatteo, president of IFOAM. “The hiring team was impressed
with the way Markus approaches challenges, his knowledge of and
commitment to Organic Agriculture, and his experience in managing
people and agricultural projects around the world.”
“I want
sustainable land and animal use for the betterment of all to be a
reality this century, and working as IFOAM’s executive director will
give me an opportunity to help make that vision a reality,” said
Arbenz. “Working as Executive Director of Bio Suisse has given me deep
insight in all aspects of leading a democratic organization. I look
forward to using that experience to keep a balance between the
interests of all the stakeholders and enacting the vision of
transforming the whole agricultural sector to sustainable organic
practices. IFOAM has always been a home for the Swiss organic
stakeholders and I’ve always been proud to be part. Now, I am excited
to build links with the people from the organic movement all over.”
With
work experiences in Switzerland, Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan, Bhutan,
Bosnia, Nepal, India, Bolivia, Ivory Coast, South Africa and Israel,
Arbenz literally brings a world of experience to the position. He is a
generalist in animal husbandry and international co-operation who has
not only been an organic farmer raising endangered sheep, goat, pig,
poultry and bee breeds, but also served in key leadership positions.
Arbenz’ achievements include increasing the brand recognition for the
Bio Suisse “bud” logo, planning and initial implementation of the
Improved Livelihoods to Rural Communities project for Helvetas/Swiss
Development Cooperation (SDC) in rural Afghanistan, and a serving as a
visiting research fellow at the Renewable Natural Resources Research
Centre in Jakar, Bhutan. He understands six languages, and plans to
move to Bonn with his wife and infant daughter.
IFOAM
is the worldwide umbrella organization for the organic movement,
uniting more than 750 member organizations in 108 countries. The
mission of International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements
(IFOAM) is leading, uniting, and assisting the organic movement in its
full diversity. IFOAM’s goal is the world-wide adoption of
ecologically, socially and economically sound systems that are based on
the principles of organic agriculture. Learn more: www.ifoam.org or contact Katherine DiMatteo, k.dimatteo@ ifoam.org
IFOAM Press Release, Responsible: Diane Bowen, IFOAM Interim Executive Director
