Strengthening African Representation: Rosinah Mbenya Co-opted to the World Board

At IFOAM – Organics International, we are committed to ensuring that the voices and experiences of the global organic movement are fully represented in our leadership. As part of this commitment, the World Board has co-opted Ms Rosinah Mbenya, Country Coordinator of PELUM Kenya, to serve as a member of the Board.

Ensuring Inclusive Representation

Immediately following the World Board elections, we recognised the need to strengthen African representation in our leadership. With the organic movement on the continent growing rapidly and playing a crucial role in food security, climate resilience, and sustainable agriculture, it was essential to ensure that Africa’s perspectives and expertise are embedded in our decision-making processes.

Unlike the election process, co-option is a prerogative of the World Board, enabling us to bring in additional expertise and perspectives. After consulting our networks and considering six strong nominees with deep roots in Africa’s organic movement, we made a unanimous decision to co-opt Ms Rosinah Mbenya.

Introducing Rosinah Mbenya

Rosinah Mbenya is the Country Coordinator of PELUM Kenya, a network dedicated to promoting ecological land use and agroecology across East Africa. She brings extensive experience in organic advocacy, leadership, and movement-building, alongside a strong network that extends beyond the organic sector. Her expertise will be invaluable as we implement our strategy, work on governance reform, and advance our mission for a more sustainable and resilient food system.

Looking Ahead

We are delighted that Rosinah has accepted this role and look forward to working with her. She will be joining us at our next face-to-face World Board meeting at the end of March, marking an important step in strengthening the inclusivity and effectiveness of our leadership.
This co-option underscores our ongoing commitment to ensuring diverse perspectives guide our work and reinforce the organic movement’s impact worldwide.

Stay tuned for updates as we continue to build a stronger, more representative organic movement for all!