Farewell to our Vice Chair – Natalie Hufnagl-Jovy steps down from the PEFC Board

21 November 2019 Organization news

Our 24^th General Assembly last week was a day of important decisions, lively discussions and celebrating 20 years of PEFC, but unfortunately also a day to say goodbye.

After having served on the PEFC International Board since 2008, and as Vice Chair since 2013, Natalie Hufnagl-Jovy, bid farewell to the PEFC family.

Pride, gratitude and joy

In her speech to the General Assembly, Natalie looked back to the beginnings of PEFC.

“Looking back to June 30^th, 1999, when PEFC was founded in Paris, I am touched by a deep sense of pride, gratitude and joy,” she explained.

“I am proud because the bottom-up approach chosen by the founders of PEFC has proven to be the right choice to develop a robust, reliable and responsible certification system, and to give a voice to those most dependent on forest resources and the sustainable development of their communities.”

“I am grateful that the vision of a Pan-European certification alliance with 12 founding members has grown to be the largest certification system with 53 members in all geographic areas of our planet. My joy refers to the fact that with PEFC the silent group of family forest owners has begun to tell its story of sustainability to the greater public.”

“The inauguration of PEFC took place in Le Cercle National des Armées de Terre et de Mer et de l 'Air which almost literally means ‘national club of armies on land, on water and in the air’,” she remembered.

“PEFC really understands itself as an army, or better an alliance for soil, water and fresh air! Over the past two decades, the PEFC family has proven its integrity and strength by defending its values following the musketeer principle: one for all and all for one.”

PEFC in 2029

Besides looking back to the mile stones and successes of the past 20 years, Natalie also took a glance forward, into a sustainable future, describing her vision for PEFC in 2029.

“PEFC will continue to be the best choice for family and community forest owners to demonstrate their commitment to sustainable development. The values behind Liberty, equality and fraternity as a tribute to PEFC’s birthplace in Paris will continue to tie the PEFC family together,” she said.

“I personally count on a continuous critical, but positive attitude of all PEFC members to further develop and strengthen what I consider as the most valuable alliance for the promotion of sustainable forest management in the world.”