Executive director of IMS, Jesper Højberg. Photo: Thomas Tolstrup.

At a reception Friday 21 November 2008, partners and friends present in Denmark celebrated the 50th birthday of Jesper Højberg, executive director of International Media Support

Jesper Højberg, who has been the leading figure of IMS since the organisation was established in 2001, passed a sharp corner on 22 November as he celebrated his 50th birthday.

Coming from a small village in the agricultural lands of Denmark, Jesper Højberg moved onto pursue an international carreer as he graduated from the University of Århus with a MA in antropology, while at the same time completing a diploma course in journalism at the Danish School of Journalism.

Between 1993-96, he worked for UNESCO in Namibia as an associate expert. Later he moved on to Zimbabwe where he worked as director for the UNESCO film school in Harare. In 1997 he returned to Denmark to work as a media consultant for the consulting company Carl Bro.

IMS celebrated Jesper Højberg with colleagues and partners at a reception Friday 21 November. In speeches, partners, board members and colleagues praised Jesper Højberg's strong dedication for his hard work to develop IMS into the success it has become since the establishment in 2001.

Mention of Jesper Højberg (in Danish), was published in several Danish newspapers in connection with the anniversary - including a piece written by Per Østerlund, journalist and director of DANICOM.