I wanted to take this opportunity to let you know that ESOMAR is adding a new focus to its activities.  Coming out of our latest survey, members have suggested increasing our interaction with younger researchers.  To this end we have decided to use the Developing Talent Initiative to form a wider umbrella of activities.  This means that as of March we will be extending some of our services and offerings specifically to younger researchers in the following ways:

• We have a new membership offering which will be launched on 1 March.  The Graduate / Young professional membership helps researchers under 30 to become involved with ESOMAR in a “step by step” way.  This exciting development should help young researchers to network, learn and share with each other and with the experienced membership of ESOMAR, helping the industry to flourish in the coming years.

• The ESOMAR Young Researcher of the Year Award 2010 will also be launched on 1 March.  This award asks bright young researchers to show us how we can make a better world by researching a broad social topic. Submissions of the research projects will be judged by an international jury and the winner of the award will be crowned the Young Researcher of the Year.  The social topics for 2010 are HIV/AIDS, Sustainable Energy and The Digital Divide.

• ESOMAR will also launch a new FaceBook discussion group which will be dedicated to all of the Developing Talent Initiative activities aimed at this group

• ESOMAR is actively approaching universities around the world to engage them with our activities and become partners going forward

• The Future Talent Meets the Industry (students at events) continues to be offered around the world.  We have a constant interest in the concept and a growing list of participating schools and professors

Each of these activities needs the support of our entire network to be a success, so I would welcome any suggestions on how to ensure that the young graduates and students are informed of these opportunities.

Please send your email at: info@field-tab.com.pk