Dear Members and Friends of IYPF,

Welcome to 2011! This monumental year marks the UN International Year for People of African Descent, the UN International Year of Chemistry, the UN International Year of Forests, and the UN International Year of Youth. What an incredible year we have ahead of us, and with merely four years until 2015; the target date of reaching the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDG), now is the time to gather every international young professional on the planet working for change to inspire, change, create and grow.

Are you excited? IYPF is. IYPF is. 2010 ended on a high with the UN MDG Summit, concluding with the adoption of a global action plan to reach new major commitments to women's and children's health and other initiatives against poverty, hunger and disease. The IYPF ended the year by electing a new Board of Directors to continue the work of renewing and rebuilding the organisation so that it can support, mobilise and connect young professionals in their pursuits of global change and betterment. You can get to know your new Board – all outstanding international young professionals – by accessing their profiles here on our website here.

Our AGM in December was also catalyst for moving forward and you can access the minutes or AGM presentation online. IYPF is in the process of transforming and reforming to better:

• Highlight the powerful position and influence Young Professionals have both inside corporations and through government
• Encourage Young Professionals to actively help make a difference
• Improve the capacity of Young Professionals making a difference through information, knowledge, & connectivity

Are you a Young Professional trying to make a difference? Young Professionals, aged 21 to 40 in their early to middle careers, are ideally placed to influence and capable of driving current and future change in the world. IYPF exists to help Young Professionals realise this potential, to take advantage of this position, and to eventually help them take their place as the world leaders of tomorrow. Becoming a member of IYPF is one way to demonstrate your commitment to engaging in change as a professional, but also an opportunity to take the next step and become involved in making a difference. As a member you join young professionals from over 130 countries across the globe!

Already an IYPF member but have been looking for an avenue to get more involved? Want to give your non-profit or NGO the edge or support it needs? Want to network with like-minded young professionals and established international professionals? Simply have a dream to make a difference? 2011 will be a big year for IYPF and we need as many hands involved as possible. Watch this space for more details of how you can help us, and IYPF can help you, by helping the World.

Your friend, colleague and fellow young professionals,

The International Young Professionals Foundation Board of Directors.

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