{"id":85,"date":"2026-03-11T06:26:25","date_gmt":"2026-03-11T06:26:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.internationalteasymposium.org\/?page_id=85"},"modified":"2026-04-02T16:29:01","modified_gmt":"2026-04-02T12:29:01","slug":"speakers","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.internationalteasymposium.org\/index.php\/speakers\/","title":{"rendered":"Speakers"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"85\" class=\"elementor elementor-85\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-03dcd99 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"03dcd99\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8a763be elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"8a763be\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Distinguished Speakers &amp; Experts<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-893558f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"893558f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #ffffff; font-size: 1rem;\">\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"color: #ffffff; font-size: 1rem;\">Joining us from 25 countries to explore the heritage, science, and future of tea.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-26f0783 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"26f0783\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-97cb8b5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"97cb8b5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<style>\n\/* --- SYMPOSIUM SPEAKERS STYLES (UPDATED LAYOUT) --- *\/\n:root {\n    --symposium-green: #1A432B; \n    --symposium-light-green: #E8EFEA;\n    --symposium-text: #333333;\n    --symposium-bg: #FFFFFF;\n    --symposium-gold: #D4AF37; \/* Touch of gold for distinction *\/\n}\n\n.symposium-speakers-wrapper {\n    font-family: inherit; \n    color: var(--symposium-text);\n    margin: 0 auto;\n    max-width: 1200px;\n    padding: 40px 20px;\n}\n\n.section-title {\n    color: var(--symposium-green);\n    font-size: 2.2rem;\n    margin-bottom: 40px;\n    font-weight: 700;\n    text-transform: uppercase;\n    letter-spacing: 2px;\n    text-align: center;\n}\n\n.honorary-section {\n    margin-bottom: 80px;\n    padding-bottom: 60px;\n    border-bottom: 1px solid var(--symposium-light-green);\n}\n\n\/* Base grid styles for normal speakers *\/\n.speaker-grid {\n    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Constrain max width of cards within the 2-column grid and flex layout *\/\n.honorary-card, .speaker-grid .speaker-card {\n    max-width: 400px; \n}\n\n\/* Distinction for honorary cards *\/\n.honorary-card {\n    border: 2px solid var(--symposium-gold);\n    box-shadow: 0 10px 25px rgba(212, 175, 55, 0.1);\n}\n\n.speaker-card:hover {\n    transform: translateY(-5px);\n    box-shadow: 0 10px 25px rgba(26, 67, 43, 0.1);\n}\n\n.speaker-img-container {\n    width: 150px;\n    height: 150px;\n    border-radius: 50%;\n    overflow: hidden;\n    margin-bottom: 20px;\n    border: 3px solid var(--symposium-light-green);\n    background-color: #f9f9f9; \/* Gris tr\u00e8s clair par d\u00e9faut *\/\n}\n\n.honorary-card .speaker-img-container {\n    border-color: var(--symposium-gold);\n}\n\n.speaker-img-container img {\n    width: 100%;\n    height: 100%;\n    object-fit: cover;\n    object-position: center;\n}\n\n\/* Classes sp\u00e9cifiques pour recadrer les visages coup\u00e9s ou zoom\u00e9s 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max-height: 85vh;\n    overflow-y: auto;\n    box-shadow: 0 20px 50px rgba(0,0,0,0.3);\n}\n\n.close-modal-btn {\n    position: absolute;\n    top: 15px;\n    right: 20px;\n    font-size: 32px;\n    color: #BBB;\n    cursor: pointer;\n    background: none;\n    border: none;\n    padding: 0;\n    line-height: 1;\n    transition: color 0.2s;\n}\n\n.close-modal-btn:hover {\n    color: var(--symposium-green);\n}\n\n.modal-header {\n    text-align: center;\n    margin-bottom: 35px;\n    border-bottom: 1px solid var(--symposium-light-green);\n    padding-bottom: 20px;\n}\n\n.modal-name {\n    color: var(--symposium-green);\n    font-size: 2rem;\n    margin: 0 0 5px 0;\n    font-weight: 700;\n}\n\n.modal-title {\n    color: #666;\n    font-style: italic;\n    margin: 0;\n    font-size: 1.1rem;\n    line-height: 1.4;\n}\n\n.modal-bio {\n    line-height: 1.7; \n    color: #444;\n}\n\n.modal-bio p {\n    margin-bottom: 18px; \n    text-align: justify;\n}\n\n.modal-bio ul {\n    margin-bottom: 18px;\n    padding-left: 20px;\n    list-style-type: disc;\n}\n\n.modal-bio li {\n    margin-bottom: 8px;\n}\n<\/style>\n\n<div class=\"symposium-speakers-wrapper\">\n\n    <div class=\"honorary-section\">\n        <h2 class=\"section-title\">Guests of Honor<\/h2>\n        \n        <div class=\"honorary-grid\">\n            <div class=\"speaker-card honorary-card\">\n                <div class=\"speaker-img-container\">\n                    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.internationalteasymposium.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Marietta-.jpg\" alt=\"Marietta Bantchev\">\n                <\/div>\n                <h3 class=\"speaker-name\">Marietta Bantchev<\/h3>\n                <p class=\"honorary-role\">Honorary President<\/p>\n                <p class=\"speaker-title\">Linguist, Academic & President of the UNESCO Community Association<\/p>\n                <button class=\"speaker-btn\" onclick=\"openSpeakerModal('Marietta Bantchev', 'Honorary President | Linguist, Academic & President of the UNESCO Community Association', 'bio-marietta')\">View Profile<\/button>\n            <\/div>\n\n            <div class=\"speaker-card honorary-card\">\n                <div class=\"speaker-img-container\">\n                    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.internationalteasymposium.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/b08e87c6-0c5b-4359-88b4-e2a6f2d724f8.jpeg\" alt=\"Jane Pettigrew\">\n                <\/div>\n                <h3 class=\"speaker-name\">Jane Pettigrew<\/h3>\n                <p class=\"honorary-role\">Event Godmother<\/p>\n                <p class=\"speaker-title\">Renowned Tea Author, Trainer & Consultant<\/p>\n                <button class=\"speaker-btn\" onclick=\"openSpeakerModal('Jane Pettigrew', 'Event Godmother | Renowned Tea Author, Trainer & Consultant', 'bio-jane')\">View Profile<\/button>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <h2 class=\"section-title\">Our Esteemed Speakers<\/h2>\n    \n    <div class=\"speaker-grid\">\n\n        <div class=\"speaker-card\">\n            <div class=\"speaker-img-container alcira-img\"> \n                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.internationalteasymposium.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Alcira.jpeg\" alt=\"Alcira Cuba Povea\">\n            <\/div>\n            <h3 class=\"speaker-name\">Alcira Cuba Povea<\/h3>\n            <p class=\"speaker-title\">Specialty Tea Specialist & Rural Tourism Pioneer<\/p>\n            <button class=\"speaker-btn\" onclick=\"openSpeakerModal('Alcira Cuba Povea', 'Specialty Tea Specialist & Rural Tourism Pioneer', 'bio-alcira')\">View Profile<\/button>\n        <\/div>\n\n        <div class=\"speaker-card\">\n            <div class=\"speaker-img-container\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.internationalteasymposium.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Jeremy-TAMEN-01.jpeg\" alt=\"Jeremy Tamen\">\n            <\/div>\n            <h3 class=\"speaker-name\">Jeremy Tamen Ch.M.A<\/h3>\n            <p class=\"speaker-title\">Tea Expert, Ethnobotanist & Knight of the Order of Agricultural Merit<\/p>\n            <button class=\"speaker-btn\" onclick=\"openSpeakerModal('Jeremy Tamen Ch.M.A', 'Tea Expert, Ethnobotanist & Knight of the Order of Agricultural Merit', 'bio-jeremy')\">View Profile<\/button>\n        <\/div>\n\n        <div class=\"speaker-card\">\n            <div class=\"speaker-img-container\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.internationalteasymposium.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Wouter--scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Wouter Verelst\">\n            <\/div>\n            <h3 class=\"speaker-name\">Wouter Verelst<\/h3>\n            <p class=\"speaker-title\">Direct Trade Developer & African Tea Advocate<\/p>\n            <button class=\"speaker-btn\" onclick=\"openSpeakerModal('Wouter Verelst', 'Direct Trade Developer & African Tea Advocate', 'bio-wouter')\">View Profile<\/button>\n        <\/div>\n\n        <div class=\"speaker-card\">\n            <div class=\"speaker-img-container\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.internationalteasymposium.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/stoyan.png\" alt=\"Stoyan Bantchev\">\n            <\/div>\n            <h3 class=\"speaker-name\">Stoyan Bantchev<\/h3>\n            <p class=\"speaker-title\">UN Expert & Geopolitical Advisor<\/p>\n            <button class=\"speaker-btn\" onclick=\"openSpeakerModal('Stoyan Bantchev', 'UN Expert & Geopolitical Advisor', 'bio-stoyan')\">View Profile<\/button>\n        <\/div>\n\n        <div class=\"speaker-card\">\n            <div class=\"speaker-img-container\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.internationalteasymposium.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/35551bcf-476f-4c1d-a381-86c8482fef7f.jpeg\" alt=\"Johnny Guichard\">\n            <\/div>\n            <h3 class=\"speaker-name\">Johnny Guichard<\/h3>\n            <p class=\"speaker-title\">Tea Producer & Founder of &quot;Le Labyrinthe En-Champ-Th\u00e9&quot;<\/p>\n            <button class=\"speaker-btn\" onclick=\"openSpeakerModal('Johnny Guichard', 'Tea Producer & Founder of &quot;Le Labyrinthe En-Champ-Th\u00e9&quot;', 'bio-johnny')\">View Profile<\/button>\n        <\/div>\n\n        <div class=\"speaker-card\">\n            <div class=\"speaker-img-container\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.internationalteasymposium.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/c43ca4e1-6ce7-4937-9dac-4d8bd9a78e1f.jpeg\" alt=\"Gw\u00e9nol\u00e9 Coppel\">\n            <\/div>\n            <h3 class=\"speaker-name\">Gw\u00e9nol\u00e9 Coppel<\/h3>\n            <p class=\"speaker-title\">Founder of TEA & TY<\/p>\n            <button class=\"speaker-btn\" onclick=\"openSpeakerModal('Gw\u00e9nol\u00e9 Coppel', 'Founder of TEA & TY', 'bio-gwenole')\">View Profile<\/button>\n        <\/div>\n\n        <div class=\"speaker-card\">\n            <div class=\"speaker-img-container top-align-img\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.internationalteasymposium.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/MITTAL-Vikram.png\" alt=\"Vikram Mittal\">\n            <\/div>\n            <h3 class=\"speaker-name\">Vikram Mittal<\/h3>\n            <p class=\"speaker-title\">India<\/p>\n        <\/div>\n\n        <div class=\"speaker-card\">\n            <div class=\"speaker-img-container top-align-img\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.internationalteasymposium.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Tanaka-NOBUO.png\" alt=\"Nobuo Tanaka\">\n            <\/div>\n            <h3 class=\"speaker-name\">Nobuo Tanaka<\/h3>\n            <p class=\"speaker-title\">Japan<\/p>\n        <\/div>\n\n        <div class=\"speaker-card\">\n            <div class=\"speaker-img-container top-align-img\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.internationalteasymposium.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Tanaka.png\" alt=\"Kunimitsu Tanaka\">\n            <\/div>\n            <h3 class=\"speaker-name\">Kunimitsu Tanaka<\/h3>\n            <p class=\"speaker-title\">Japan<\/p>\n        <\/div>\n\n        <div class=\"speaker-card\">\n            <div class=\"speaker-img-container top-align-img\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.internationalteasymposium.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Capture-decran-2026-03-23-a-16.34.09.png\" alt=\"James Ngugi\">\n            <\/div>\n            <h3 class=\"speaker-name\">James Ngugi<\/h3>\n            <p class=\"speaker-title\">Deputy Director Trade and Promotion, Kenya<\/p>\n        <\/div>\n\n        <div class=\"speaker-card jayawardena-card\">\n            <div class=\"speaker-img-container\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.internationalteasymposium.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/LAB_9711.jpg\" alt=\"Mahesh Kumara Jayawardena\">\n            <\/div>\n            <h3 class=\"speaker-name\">Mahesh Kumara Jayawardena<\/h3>\n            <p class=\"speaker-title\">Tea Commissioner of Sri Lanka<\/p>\n            <button class=\"speaker-btn\" onclick=\"openSpeakerModal('Mahesh Kumara Jayawardena', 'Tea Commissioner of Sri Lanka', 'bio-jayawardena')\">View Profile<\/button>\n        <\/div>\n\n        <div class=\"speaker-card\">\n            <div class=\"speaker-img-container top-align-img\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.internationalteasymposium.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/\ud504\ub85c\ud544\uc0ac\uc9c4_\uae40\uc644\uc900.jpg-1-scaled.webp\" alt=\"Wan Jun Kim\">\n            <\/div>\n            <h3 class=\"speaker-name\">Wan Jun Kim<\/h3>\n            <p class=\"speaker-title\">Tea Producer \u2013 Republic of Korea<\/p>\n        <\/div>\n\n        <div class=\"speaker-card\">\n            <div class=\"speaker-img-container tran-img\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.internationalteasymposium.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-04-02-at-10.49.40.jpeg\" alt=\"Tr\u1ea7n Phi V\u0169\">\n            <\/div>\n            <h3 class=\"speaker-name\">Tr\u1ea7n Phi V\u0169<\/h3>\n            <p class=\"speaker-title\">Tea Artist \u2013 Vietnam<\/p>\n        <\/div>\n        \n        <div class=\"speaker-card\">\n            <div class=\"speaker-img-container\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.internationalteasymposium.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Design-sans-titre-24.png\" alt=\"Hung Chung-Lun\">\n            <\/div>\n            <h3 class=\"speaker-name\">Hung Chung-Lun<\/h3>\n            <p class=\"speaker-title\">Tea Master & Founder of Rh\u00e9os & Raintea - Ta\u00efwan<\/p>\n            <button class=\"speaker-btn\" onclick=\"openSpeakerModal('Hung Chung-Lun', 'Tea Master & Founder of Rh\u00e9os & Raintea', 'bio-hung')\">View Profile<\/button>\n        <\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n\n    <div style=\"display:none;\">\n        \n        <div id=\"bio-jane\">\n            <p>Jane Pettigrew has worked in tea since 1983. She became a writer, trainer, and consultant for major institutions and tea companies.<\/p>\n            <p>She has spoken worldwide and trained professionals since the 1990s. She served as Director of Education at the UK Tea Academy from 2015 to 2025.<\/p>\n            <p>She published 17 books and received a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2026.<\/p>\n        <\/div>\n\n        <div id=\"bio-marietta\">\n            <p>Marietta Bantchev is a linguist and academic, President of the UNESCO Community Association since 2014. She began her career as a French teacher in Sofia before joining the University of St. Kliment Ohridski.<\/p>\n            <p>She conducts research in cultural history at the \u00c9cole des Hautes \u00c9tudes en Sciences Sociales in Paris. Mrs. Marietta Bantchev has organized and moderated major international cultural events at UNESCO, highlighting intangible cultural heritage and the role of women in modern society.<\/p>\n            <p>She has taken part in numerous international conferences, round tables, and events on intercultural dialogue, women's creativity, peace, language education, and the role of youth in heritage preservation, contributing to the promotion of UNESCO\u2019s values and programs.<\/p>\n            <p>Since 2022, she has organized the International Tea Day at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, in collaboration with the Franco-Chinese Cultural and Artistic Exchange Center and alongside Jeremy Tamen, ethnobotanist and tea specialist, with strong participation from Member States where tea culture plays a central role.<\/p>\n        <\/div>\n\n        <div id=\"bio-alcira\">\n            <p>Alcira Cuba Povea is a founding member of the Association of Producers and Exporters of Specialty Teas from Cusco (Apetco) since 2013 and a specialist in specialty teas from Cusco.<\/p>\n            <p>For 19 years, she has developed rural tourism and the tea sector in the Amazonian Andes. She founded Ecotur Huayopata to pass on tea knowledge and train younger generations.<\/p>\n            <p>In 2017, she received a national award for her impact and local commitment. Her artisanal teas, produced locally, have received several international awards.<\/p>\n        <\/div>\n\n        <div id=\"bio-wouter\">\n            <p>Wouter Verelst lived in Malawi for 7 years before setting up the Satemwa Europe branch in Belgium. He develops direct trade and manages tea projects between Africa and Europe.<\/p>\n            <p>He trains tea professionals through international education programs and handles logistics to ensure African teas are available in Europe.<\/p>\n            <p>He promotes African teas worldwide and leads tea education tours in Malawi.<\/p>\n        <\/div>\n\n        <div id=\"bio-stoyan\">\n            <p>Stoyan Bantchev has worked for over 30 years within UNESCO\u2019s External Relations Sector. He currently serves as a United Nations expert and geopolitical advisor in Paris at UNESCO-Unesco community Association. He holds several key positions, including:<\/p>\n            <ul>\n                <li>Responsibility for relations with Europe and North America.<\/li>\n                <li>Leads the Executive Office of External Relations and several major programs.<\/li>\n                <li>Oversees the Participation Programme and UNESCO scholarship programs.<\/li>\n                <li>Implements international projects in education, science, culture, and communication.<\/li>\n                <li>Coordinates scholarship programs with China, Korea, Japan, and other countries.<\/li>\n                <li>Contributes to international cooperation and sustainable development between nations.<\/li>\n            <\/ul>\n            <p>Acted as moderator, trainer, and speaker across multiple continents. Organized a major UNESCO scholarship event in 2019 with strong institutional participation.<\/p>\n        <\/div>\n\n        <div id=\"bio-jeremy\">\n            <p>Jeremy Tamen is a tea expert, trained ethnobotanist, specialist in the sensory analysis of plant-based raw materials, and Knight of the Order of Agricultural Merit.<\/p>\n            <p>His expertise and interdisciplinary approach cover tea terroirs, their aromatic and cultural dimensions, and the transmission of knowledge. As a lecturer, he develops academic programs dedicated to tea in France and works as a trainer, speaker, and consultant in France and internationally. Expert in missions conducted with and for UNESCO \u2013 UNESCO Community Association.<\/p>\n            <p>Committed to promoting tea as a living cultural heritage across the entire value chain. Collaborates with Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam, Peru, China, and other tea-producing regions. Recognized by UNESCO \u2013 UNESCO Community Association for his work in safeguarding the intangible cultural heritage of tea.<\/p>\n            <p>Appointed in 2024 as a member of the Chinese Tea Experts Committee in Paris. His commitment to tea-producing regions has been recognized with an official medal in the district of Huayopata, Peru, honoring his work with producers and value chains. Signatory of the first Sino-French cultural agreement dedicated to the dialogue between Chinese tea and French wine, affirming his role as a link between cultures and know-how.<\/p>\n        <\/div>\n\n       <div id=\"bio-johnny\">\n            <p>A pioneer in the revival of French tea, <strong>Johnny Guichard<\/strong> has spent the last two decades breathing new life into the historical plantations of Grand Coude. In 2005, he founded <strong>\"Le Labyrinthe En-Champ-Th\u00e9\"<\/strong> to protect a unique heritage that had nearly disappeared from R\u00e9union Island.<\/p>\n\n            <p>On <strong>March 22, 2025<\/strong>, his lifelong commitment was officially recognized at the <strong>UNESCO Palace in Paris<\/strong>. The <em>UNESCO Community Association<\/em> awarded him a certificate of honor for his exceptional work in safeguarding the living heritage and cultural legacy of tea in Grand Coude, ensuring the transmission of this unique craftsmanship.<\/p>\n\n            <p>Today, he manages his land under <strong>certified organic standards<\/strong>, focusing on the preservation of the island's agricultural history. For Johnny, the Labyrinthe is a place of sharing, where he invites visitors to discover the journey of tea through his favorite motto: <br>\n            <strong>\"From the tree to the cup.\"<\/strong><\/p>\n        <\/div>\n\n        <div id=\"bio-gwenole\">\n            <p>Gw\u00e9nol\u00e9 Coppel is the founder of TEA & TY, an independent tea house established in Rennes in 2013 and later developed as a franchise in Paris and Saint-Malo. For more than thirteen years, he has built his project around a clear idea: placing taste at the center and offering a simple, accessible understanding of tea.<\/p>\n            <p>With a background in commerce and distribution, he selects flavored teas and origin teas for their aromatic accuracy and consistency, with particular attention to terroirs and production methods. His work involves both selection and explanation.<\/p>\n            <p>Trained in pastry, he has also explored the use of tea as an ingredient, developing new ways to express its aromatic profiles.<\/p>\n            <p>Through workshops, themed tastings, and trips to tea-producing regions, he promotes an open and educational approach: origin tea is not only meant to be tasted, but to be understood and shared.<\/p>\n        <\/div>\n\n        <div id=\"bio-jayawardena\">\n            <p>Kalu Arachchige Mahesh Kumara Jayawardena, born on 30th December 1969, is the Tea Commissioner of Sri Lanka. With more than 25 years of distinguished service in the plantation and tea industry, he has been a driving force in policy-making, regulation, and development initiatives that safeguard and strengthen Sri Lanka\u2019s tea sector.<\/p>\n            <p>Mr. Jayawardena began his career at the Ministry of Plantation Industries in 1999 as a Plantation Monitoring Officer, before joining the Sri Lanka Tea Board in 2004. Rising through the ranks, he now leads the nation\u2019s tea industry as Tea Commissioner, overseeing regulation of tea factories, exporters, and dealers, ensuring compliance with Good Manufacturing and Good Handling Practices, and enforcing the Tea Control Act and Tea Tax and Control Act. His work also extends to quality management, export regulation, and industry development.<\/p>\n            <p>He holds a Bachelor of Agriculture from the University of Peradeniya and multiple postgraduate qualifications in business administration, science, and tea manufacture. His expertise has been recognized internationally, with advanced training in India and China, where he was awarded the prestigious Tea Master Certificate in 2013. Since 2012, he has also contributed to education as a visiting lecturer at the National Institute of Plantation Management.<\/p>\n            <p>Through his leadership, technical expertise, and dedication, Mr. Jayawardena continues to uphold Sri Lanka\u2019s reputation as a global leader in tea production and trade.<\/p>\n        <\/div>\n       \n        <div id=\"bio-hung\">\n            <p>\u6d2a\u5d07\u502b\u70ba\u7522\u696d\u4e16\u5bb6\u7b2c\u56db\u4ee3\u8336\u5e2b\uff0c\u540c\u70ba\u7518\u6f8d Rh\u00e9os & Raintea\u54c1\u724c\u5275\u8fa6\u4eba\uff0c\u5ef6\u7e8c\u5bb6\u65cf\u66f8\u8a8c\u4e2d\u300c\u7518\n\u6f8d\u300d\u6240\u5bd3\u4e4b\u53ca\u6642\u96e8\u610f\uff0c\u56de\u61c9\u8336\u6587\u5316\u65bc\u6642\u4ee3\u4e2d\u7684\u6d41\u52d5\u8207\u751f\u6210\u3002\n\u9577\u5e74\u5c08\u6ce8\u65bc\u9ad8\u5c71\u8336\u88fd\u7a0b\u3001\u611f\u5b98\u54c1\u8a55\u8207\u98a8\u5473\u5224\u8b80\u3002\u4e26\u4ee5\u53f0\u7063\u8336\u696d\u6539\u826f\u5834\u4e4b\u611f\u5b98\u54c1\u8a55\u8a13\u7df4\u70ba\u57fa\u790e\uff0c\n\u758a\u5408\u73fe\u4ee3\u8a2d\u8a08\u7f8e\u5b78\uff0c\u5c07\u53f0\u7063\u56db\u5b63\u5730\u666f\u3001\u54f2\u5b78\u8207\u5cf6\u5dbc\u6587\u5b78\uff0c\u8f49\u8b6f\u5c6c\u65bc\u798f\u723e\u6469\u6c99\u7684\u8336\u91d1\u611f\u5b98\u65c5\u7a0b\u3002\n\u5275\u8fa6\u4eba\u66f4\u662f\u8d0f\u5f97\u5169\u5cb8\u8336\u85dd\u5e2b\u5927\u8cfd\u51a0\u8ecd\u7684\u8336\u4eba\uff0c\u6240\u5275\u7acb\u7684\u54c1\u724c\u8336\u54c1\uff0c\u5728\u5df4\u9ece\u8207\u82f1\u570b\u7b49\u4e16\u754c\u570b\u969b\n\u8cfd\u4e8b\u4e2d\u5927\u653e\u7570\u5f69\u3002\u66f4\u4ee5\u5c62\u7372\u570b\u969b\u80af\u5b9a\u7684\u8336\u54c1\u8207\u7368\u7279\u7684\u8336\u5e2d\u7f8e\u5b78\uff0c\u63a5\u5f85\u5168\u7403\u5a92\u9ad4\u8207\u570b\u969b\u7cbe\u54c1\u54c1\n\u724c\u8cb4\u8cd3\uff0c\u4f7f\u53f0\u7063\u8336\u6587\u5316\u6301\u7e8c\u98c4\u9999\u570b\u969b\u3002\n<\/p>\n            <p>Hung Chung-lun is a fourth-generation tea master and the founder of Rheos & Raintea.\nDrawing from his family\u2019s archival chronicles of Gan Shu (\u7518\u6f8d), signifying \"timely rain,\" he\nreinterprets the historical fluidity and evolution of tea culture for a modern audience.<\/p>\n            <p>\nBy synthesizing years of high-mountain craftsmanship with rigorous sensory training from\nthe Taiwan Tea Research and Extension Station (TRES), Hung elevates tea into a\nmulti-dimensional dialogue. His practice weaves the textures of the Taiwanese landscape\nwith philosophy and literature, translating the spirit of Formosan tea into an immersive\nsensory journey shaped by contemporary design.<\/p>\n            <p>\nA distinguished tea master and champion of the Cross-Strait Tea Master Competition, Hung\nhas garnered international acclaim for his teas in Paris and the UK. His expertise and\nsophisticated tea aesthetics have established him as a premier collaborator for global media\nand international luxury brands, projecting the refined essence of Taiwan\u2019s tea legacy onto\nthe world stage.<\/p>\n        <\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div id=\"speakerModal\" class=\"speaker-modal-overlay\">\n    <div class=\"speaker-modal-content\">\n        <button class=\"close-modal-btn\" onclick=\"closeSpeakerModal()\">&times;<\/button>\n        <div class=\"modal-header\">\n            <h2 id=\"modalName\" class=\"modal-name\">Name<\/h2>\n            <p id=\"modalTitle\" class=\"modal-title\">Title<\/p>\n        <\/div>\n        <div id=\"modalBio\" class=\"modal-bio\">\n            <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<script>\n    function openSpeakerModal(name, title, bioContainerId) {\n        document.getElementById('modalName').textContent = name;\n        document.getElementById('modalTitle').textContent = title;\n        \n        var structuredBio = document.getElementById(bioContainerId).innerHTML;\n        document.getElementById('modalBio').innerHTML = structuredBio;\n        \n        document.getElementById('speakerModal').style.display = 'flex';\n        document.body.style.overflow = 'hidden'; \n    }\n\n    function closeSpeakerModal() {\n        document.getElementById('speakerModal').style.display = 'none';\n        document.body.style.overflow = 'auto'; \n    }\n\n    window.onclick = function(event) {\n        var modal = document.getElementById('speakerModal');\n        if (event.target == modal) {\n            closeSpeakerModal();\n        }\n    }\n<\/script>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Distinguished Speakers &amp; Experts \u00a0Joining us from 25 countries to explore the heritage, science, and future of tea. Guests of Honor Marietta Bantchev Honorary President Linguist, Academic &#038; President of [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_price":"","_stock":"","_tribe_ticket_header":"","_tribe_default_ticket_provider":"","_tribe_ticket_capacity":"0","_ticket_start_date":"","_ticket_end_date":"","_tribe_ticket_show_description":"","_tribe_ticket_show_not_going":false,"_tribe_ticket_use_global_stock":"","_tribe_ticket_global_stock_level":"","_global_stock_mode":"","_global_stock_cap":"","_tribe_rsvp_for_event":"","_tribe_ticket_going_count":"","_tribe_ticket_not_going_count":"","_tribe_tickets_list":"[]","_tribe_ticket_has_attendee_info_fields":false,"footnotes":"","_tec_slr_enabled":"","_tec_slr_layout":""},"class_list":["post-85","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"ticketed":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.internationalteasymposium.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/85","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.internationalteasymposium.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.internationalteasymposium.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.internationalteasymposium.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.internationalteasymposium.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=85"}],"version-history":[{"count":31,"href":"https:\/\/www.internationalteasymposium.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/85\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":415,"href":"https:\/\/www.internationalteasymposium.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/85\/revisions\/415"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.internationalteasymposium.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=85"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}