Farewell to Markus Arbenz and Welcome to Louise Luttikholt

Dears: MARKUS & LOUISE, All we Georgian scholars & engineers have: blessed the open-minded viking Markus for all his obiective decisions in a very operative way during 9 years as Gen. Dir. of IFOAM & welcomed of charming Louise as new Gen. Dir. of IFOAM & wish her to set up BIO-INNOTECH-COUNCIL & appoint of highly experienced Markus as the chairman of it with concrete tech-task: increase income of bio-farmers! All we do believe that Markus may: 1) create inno-tech Bio-Bank of IFOAM with beneficial defend of innovators' IP; 2) tune innovators for non waste & cost efficient scale up production of low volume high value natural products from not yet used resources of organic farmers, with which ONLY new Gen. Director may well increase income of bio-farmers, what will allow her to make far more attractive for pragmatic farmers the membership of IFOAM. Good Luck to both of new & old Gen Directors of IFOAM in fulfilling this grand aim - to double & triple of bio-farmers income via establishing eco-sustainable & innovative bio-rational tech-approaches to make as safe organic food so functional food additives & decrease food-loss & waste in all stages!! Cordially Tengiz Tengiz Jaliashvili PhD Main Scientist of Scientific Center Georgian Technical University (GTU) http://www.gtu.ge/eng/index.php Kostava str. 77 0175 Tbilisi, Georgia

Markus, you brought a new perspective, dynamic and challenges to IFOAM O; making possible a wider vision and presence of the organic movement not only geographically speaking but also at the institutional and philosophical level, with concrete and materialized initiatives such as the Academy, Organic 3.0, Best Practices, NSA, etc. We will miss you a lot but I am sure that you will contribute in your new challenges, with the same passion and commitment you did in IFOAM OI. And this is good, to keep on moving forward and contributing for a better world! Louise, I know you as we started to work together back there in June 2007! Now, appointed as ED, I am sure you will give all your knowledge, experience and wisdom to strengthen IFOAM with its new strategy. You are a good listener, an extraordinary organic advocate and know how to build good working relationships. I wish you all success and you can count on me and Latin American organizations and people to support you in your new challenges and initiatives.

Hey Markus, how are you doing?? I just got an email from IFOAM about your farewell. I wanted to thank you for all good talks we had while I was in Bonn and volunteered in IFOAM. I really got inspired by IFOAM and by you, and thanks to many experiences I had in Bonn, I look for ways to live more sustainably in Guatemala and inspire other... million thanks and the best wishes for you!! Greetings from Guatemala, Ahmid

Like to attend, if possible, and would like to interview old and new directors. Duke

Markus made praiseworthy contribution to globalize organics movements, thank you very much Markus for your time and effort, Still, we need your support to enhance the movement in other form as well. BIG WELCOING TO LOUISE, We hope she will put milestone to Markus's way and will contribute to positive impact on laws and policy, education and curricula. WE ARE WITH YOU National Organics Movements of NEPAL, Organic Farmer, Social Worker

Welcome Louise to IFOAM Team

thank Markus and welcome Louise

Hey Markus,How are you doing .? I take this opportunity to thank you for all the praiseworthy contribution you made to the global organic movement, I wish you all success for your future new initaitives and challenges .Regards Gouri Hi Louise,Welcome to IFOAM as the lady new Executive Director.I hope with your vast experience in this field you will take it forward the global organic movement further and strengthen IFOAM with its new strategy. Looking forward working with you.Wish you all the best Regards Gouri

Dear Mr. Arbenz, with a very warm “goodbye and see you soon” we say farewell to an actively engaged and visionary executive director of IFOAM. You are leaving the federation but surely always be a part of the “movement” and we are looking forward to having you around to keep up your positive impulses on global environment and social challenges. With your significant impact on the movement you have shaped the worldwide organic culture and are a vital voice for the organic family. We are especially thankful to have you as part of the BIOFACH family and want to express our gratitude for the past 9 years of having had the possibility to join forces with you. For the upcoming chapter we wish you and your family all the very best! Dear Mrs. Luttikholt, we are delighted to start our collaboration with you in the near future and welcome you to the federation in your new role as executive director of IFOAM. “The secret of change is to focus all your energy not on fighting the old but on building the new” Socrates said. And it meets your point as well – you know your mission – keep on protecting and promoting the environment and developing the organic movement for future generations with all challenges that you might be facing. We wish you strength, success and passion for your new responsibilities as well as a firm hand in all your decisions. We are looking forward to cooperating with you in your new role and inspire others with our mutual vision of the organic movement. See you at BIOFACH 2019! Best regards from Nuremberg Your team BIOFACH

Dear Mr. Arbenz, with a very warm “goodbye and see you soon” we say farewell to an actively engaged and visionary executive director of IFOAM. You are leaving the federation but surely always be a part of the “movement” and we are looking forward to having you around to keep up your positive impulses on global environment and social challenges. With your significant impact on the movement you have shaped the worldwide organic culture and are a vital voice for the organic family. We are especially thankful to have you as part of the BIOFACH family and want to express our gratitude for the past 9 years of having had the possibility to join forces with you. For the upcoming chapter we wish you and your family all the very best! Dear Mrs. Luttikholt, we are delighted to start our collaboration with you in the near future and welcome you to the federation in your new role as executive director of IFOAM. “The secret of change is to focus all your energy not on fighting the old but on building the new” Socrates said. And it meets your point as well – you know your mission – keep on protecting and promoting the environment and developing the organic movement for future generations with all challenges that you might be facing. We wish you strength, success and passion for your new responsibilities as well as a firm hand in all your decisions. We are looking forward to cooperating with you in your new role and inspire others with our mutual vision of the organic movement. See you at BIOFACH 2019! Best regards from Nuremberg Your team BIOFACH

Dear Markus, dear Louise, How lucky we are to have such wonderful persons dedicating their heart, energy and so much of their time to the development of the organic movement! MARKUS, over the past 7 years of intense collaboration, hundreds of hours of meetings and phone calls, countless emails and documents, heated discussions and steady conceptual work, I can state with certainty: you are outstanding! Few people may fully understand how much the organic movement owes you. I learned a lot from you and have an enormous respect for what you did, for your incredible energy and thoroughness, but also your great passion and compassion. The only consolation I have for you leaving us is that.... LOUISE enters the stage! I also have the privilege of knowing you since a while, first at IFOAM, than Fairtrade, and later as a colleage at Helvetas. This gives me the fullest confidence that IFOAM - Organics International is again in caring and capable hands. Your clarity of vision combined with patience and understanding will be wonderful assets for the tasks and challenges ahead. I wish both of you all the very best for the exciting future that lies ahead of you. And I look forward to continue our exchanges and collaboration. Warmest, Frank

Dear Markus, actions have been more important for you than endless considerations. That was the reason why I appreciated your work. And the result is impressive: Never in the history of IFOAM, the organisation has had such a good standing. Excellent reputation as a relevant international stakeholder in agriculture, ecology and sustainable food systems. Good staff. Stable finances. Well structured decision making procedures. I'm convinced that other organic organisations are already aware of your profile. We will therefore not lose track on you. And Louise: I think you have similar talents. And I'm happy that this is the second time we've had a woman on top. Hopefully a little longer than last time, because we have to make a lasting - a sustainable - impact!

Dear Markus, many thanks for your great engagement for the organic movement and for IFOAM. You supported and brought many new ideas and projects in the movement, made organic visible in the world and helped very much to connect and to strengthen the network. You always supported initiatives like our IFOAM Animal Husbandry Alliance (IAHA) strongly, which was much appreciated. All the best in the future. Dear Louise, I was very happy to hear that you overtook as director of IFOAM. I am convinced that you are the right person, also due to your long engagment for the organic movement, and that your engagement will bring IFOAM as international organic movement forward. I wish you a lot of energy, satisfaction, joy, fascinating tasks and many postitive achievements. Kind regards Otto

I had an opportunity to know both of them. Both with Great heart, deep vision, efficient and powerful!! I was lucky to have face to face interaction with both of them recently. Very happy to welcome the change. -Kapil Shah