interview of the week: Azzedine Downes, ifaw

Azzedine is the President and CEO of the International Fund for Animal Welfare, where he leads their efforts to help people and animals thrive together in more than 40 countries around the globe.

ODP: IFAW just celebrated its 50th anniversary. What have been the organization’s greatest accomplishments?

AD:  From humble beginnings 50 years ago, IFAW focused on one problem affecting one species in one part of the world. This effort culminated fourteen years later, in 1983, with the ban on whitecoat Harp seal products, ultimately saving more than 1 million seal pups. Since then IFAW has taken on more problems threatening more species in over 40 countries across the globe. And the impact that IFAW has now is far bigger as well, with us rescuing more animals and securing more habitats than at any other point in time. As the reach and impact of our organization have increased, so has the breadth of our science as well as the reach and results of our collective efforts. This is met with the same transparency and spirit of collaboration that we have had since the beginning.

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