Culture has long been recognized as a powerful force for social and economic regeneration, but its potential has often been overlooked, particularly in marginalized areas. However, recently, it has been gradually understood the transformative power of culture in driving positive change and its ability to foster innovation, create jobs, and improve the quality of life for local residents. After three years of working with the community of Pollica and Cilento, we have seen firsthand the immense potential of cultural initiatives to promote sustainable development and drive economic growth in once-neglected regions. Our experiences have convinced us that investing in culture is the right path for social and economic regeneration in Pollica, Cilento, and communities worldwide. In this article, we will explore the role of culture as a high-powered positive weapon for regeneration and share some of the lessons we have learned along the way. The process of integral ecological regeneration undertaken in Pollica has begun… and is now unstoppable!
This week, at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair, Grazia Gotti invited me to “TO THE SOUTH, WITH THE BOOKS” to talk about the magic of “Books & Seeds”.
In 2015, for Expo 2015, in Milan, responding to the universal call of “Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life”, Grazia invited me to take part in the jury of “Books & Seeds” special edition of the international children’s book award, organized by the historic Bologna Fair. Then life took me with Future Food Institute to explore far and wide in the world guided by the same mission; to unearth the “Seeds of Disruption” capable of making FOOD more sustainable, of mining the “Food Heroes”, to nurture the “Seeds of Change”, to enhance the custodians of biodiversity and knowledge, to connect, to educate, to create models of integral ecological development, to inspire change towards inclusive prosperity. At some point, I met a mayor, outlier, pragmatist and visionary and I found myself in Pollica, where all my ferment and all these words found a community, a home, a meaning.