teramo 2023In a world facing numerous challenges, cooperation for sustainable culture and agri-food security has become more crucial than ever. As the international community strives to meet the needs of a growing population while conserving our planet's resources, it is essential that we collectively work together and foster collaboration between individuals, communities, organizations and governments. 

The Fifth Conference for Euro-African Academic Partnerships brought together African university leaders and young talents equipped with expertise in agricultural and cultural sciences, research, conservation, and the enhancement of landscape heritage to forge connections among countries and lay the foundation for progress in these critical domains. 

The conference, scheduled to encompass three distinct sessions, featured speeches and roundtable discussions dedicated to exploring strategies for ensuring the security and sustainability of our food systems, embracing the "One Health" approach, and examining the valuable contributions of cultural heritage to sustainable agricultural practices. 

In his opening remarks, the Director-General of ICCROM, Webber Ndoro, expressed profound gratitude for joining the Conference, recognizing its role as an invaluable platform for facilitating international exchange and dialogue between African and European countries. This aligns harmoniously with ICCROM's unwavering commitment to effecting lasting positive change on the African continent. Drawing inspiration from the adage, "We are what we eat," the Director-General emphasized the profound connection between dietary choices and holistic well-being. However, he also called for a broader perspective that encompasses not only what we eat but also how we engage with food, from cultivation to celebration, as these elements together constitute our food culture—a cornerstone of every community's life and resilience.  

The importance of partnership in tackling food security was an underlying theme over the three-day event, with the need for partners to work as equals. Partnerships between European and African institutions and universities could help bridge the gap between research and traditional knowledge systems and between ideas and tangible, meaningful outcomes. 

ICCROM thanks the many partners that helped make the conference on Euro-African Academic Partnerships a success: the University of Teramo, the Diocese of Teramo-Atri, the Directorate General for Development Cooperation of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, ICOMOS Italy, the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise and UNIDROIT.