Dear Colleagues,

I am pleased to learn that over 150 ILRI staff have signed up for IPM so far and encourage those of you who have not to do so very soon. This will be the first IPM for three years, and for many of you, the first time you get to meet your colleagues from all over the World. Its your opportunity to shape ILRI’s future and to get a good understanding of your individual roles in making the whole greater than the sum of the parts, regardless of which program, unit or location you work in.

I will be sharing with you my vision for ILRI in the future and at the end of IPM reflecting on our deliberations to consider with you if how each one of us is playing a role to result in “better lives through livestock”.

I am sure that ILRI can become the livestock research for development institution bar none, and I see this IPM as a key point in positioning ILRI for the future. For this reason I also stress that for everyone who signs up, full participation is expected and essential. Do not just come along for the bits that you think are relevant to your unit or program. Participation in all segments and the entire IPM is required and expected of all participants.

I look forward to seeing many of you in early October.

Regards,

Jimmy Smith| Director General