European Journalism Centre appoints Lars Boering as its new Director

The European Journalism Centre (EJC) announces Lars Boering will be its new Director. Lars Boering was the Managing Director of the World Press Photo Foundation from 2015 to 2020, and Managing Director of the Dutch Photographers’ Association before that. He replaces Adam Thomas, who has been EJC Director since 2016.

“The Board of Directors had a difficult task,” said Vicent Partal, EJC’s Board Chairman. “More than thirty high-level candidates applied, which demonstrates the important position that the EJC holds today. Lars Boering’s C.V., and his work in recent years as the head of the World Press Photo Foundation, testify to his ability to lead a new phase for the Centre.

“The Board, which conducted the entire recruitment process online, was impressed by his vision of the role that journalism should play in an increasingly complex and pluralistic European society. Lars highlighted the current need to expand and adapt our defense of press freedom and freedom of expression. He understands the great transformations that are taking place not only in the profession and the media industry, but also in society as a whole. We are confident that Lars will continue and accelerate the transformation of the EJC that Adam Thomas has led so far, further positioning the Centre at the heart of the debate in Europe on the consequences of media transformation and its impact on society and democracy.

“Adam Thomas has led the transformation and adaptation of the European Journalism Centre with enormous success. The Board will always be grateful to him, not only for his ability to drive our project forward, but also for his keen insights into where the current problems of journalism lie and how to address them. His idea that, in order to defend press freedom, it is necessary for journalists and media to become stronger, more independent and more resilient, will have a lasting impact on our work. His vision of technology as a vector for the change needed to reclaim the central place that the media should have in our societies will forever guide the ideas of the Centre. The EJC is permanently indebted to him and we are very happy to continue to count on his support and participation in the future. We wish him every success in his new professional and personal endeavours.”

Lars Boering will join the organisation on May 1st 2021, working closely with the current Director on the transition, before taking over on June 26th 2021.

“The European Journalism Centre is one of the main institutions for journalism in Europe and is held in high regard globally,” said Lars Boering. “The impressive list of partners and funders is a clear sign of that. With a bright and talented team we will further much of the transformation and adaptation Adam has implemented with success.

“To build strength, independence and resilience in journalists and media will remain an important part of our work. We are all obliged to fight for press freedom, freedom of speech and the free flow of information in a time that evidence-based reporting is under pressure. But we should also embrace good changes and we need to be optimistic about the many exciting developments that are taking place in the media landscape, business models, visual journalism and in technology. It is an honour to be asked to fulfill the position as Director and I look forward to growing the role and influence the Centre has.”

Lars Boering: biography

Lars Boering has been actively involved with journalism, photography and art for several years. Beginning in 1998 he was a photo curator and later Managing Director of the Amsterdam Art Foundation, buying art and photography for their extensive collection. In 2008 Lars became an independent advisor and entrepreneur in photography and founded the platform Triggertale.com. As Managing Director of the Dutch Photographers’ Association, from 2010 to 2014, Lars advised photographers on copyright issues and entrepreneurial skills.

As of 2015 he led the World Press Photo Foundation and has transformed it into an organisation that is more than a contest. The mission has expanded and guides visual journalists, storytellers, and audiences around the world through this challenging and exciting landscape: a global platform connecting professionals and audiences through trustworthy visual journalism and storytelling.

As an advisor he is part of a platform where several professional partners actively involved in the creative industries and advertising business add different opinions on, and solutions to, the projects and brands they work on. He has taught at academies throughout the world and has been involved as advisor and curator for festivals, museums, contests and other institutions. He is an experienced keynote speaker and moderator at the highest levels who believes lifelong learning is a necessity and a joy.

Find out more about the EJC’s work on our website, or Twitter.