A Development Model for a Sustainable Future
November brings with it the celebration of the 14th anniversary of UNESCO’s recognition of the Mediterranean Diet as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This year, the Global Summit “Mediterranean Diet Feeds the Future” in Portici (NA) and Pollica (SA) from November 14th to 17th, presents a unique opportunity to demonstrate to the world that the Mediterranean Diet is more than a diet. It’s an integrated ecological development model that intertwines health, the environment, culture, and both local and global economies.
A Global Summit
The summit will be more than a conference; it will be a true global laboratory bringing together all aspects of the Mediterranean Diet, showcasing decades of proven knowledge and achievements — from its extraordinary impact on human health, as evidenced by long-living populations, to ecosystem health and the preservation of natural resources. It will serve as a forum where science, research, history, and innovation converge to develop concrete, innovative solutions for the pressing challenges of our time. This event will feature international partners, scientists, researchers, institutions, communities, and youth, each contributing to this unique mosaic. The active participation of the Department of Agriculture at the University Federico II of Naples, the UNESCO Chair of the Unitelma Sapienza University, the MedEatResearch of the University Suor Orsola Benincasa, and the Future Food Institute, led by the Municipality of Pollica and supported by the Regional Council of Campania and under the patronage of UNESCO Italy, underscores the significance of a network that supports and amplifies the summit’s message, creating an international platform for change.
Six Key Areas for Sustainability and Innovation
The event will unfold over four intensive days, focusing on six thematic areas: public policy, environment, health, social well-being, cultural knowledge, and economic development. These areas form the foundation on which the Mediterranean Diet can become a tangible tool to regenerate territories, particularly marginalized areas, promote health, preserve biodiversity, and protect life-sustaining resources, while fostering sustainable growth. Renowned experts will bring their knowledge to a vibrant and detailed discussion, opening new perspectives for sustainable and inclusive development. The summit will feature not only scientists but also policymakers, youth, and representatives of emblematic communities, creating a space for exchange and dialogue that reflects the bio-cultural richness of the Mediterranean Diet.
A Shared Path: From Science to Community for a Sustainable Future
The Global Summit “Mediterranean Diet Feeds the Future” is not just an event but a multi-level experience embracing science and academia, institutions, schools, and the community. The summit will come to life in the heart of Pollica before culminating at the United Nations, presenting a holistic vision that connects local territories to global perspectives. In each session, dialogue will bridge generations, with students and academics, international experts, and local communities coming together. Through a program of workshops, laboratories, roundtables, and discussion sessions, the summit will offer a comprehensive and practical vision of how the Mediterranean Diet can become a model for sustainable and regenerative development. The goal is not only to listen but also to co-create, share experiences, and transform ideas into enduring solutions.
At the core of the summit, the act of convivial dining — a symbol of the Mediterranean Diet — will provide a gathering point, where hands-on experience complements scientific knowledge, fostering profound and inspiring dialogue. This method mirrors the true nature of the Mediterranean Diet: a living heritage rooted in everyday culture and personal interactions, which here becomes a catalyst for change, from research to action, culminating in a “Mediterranean Convivial Gathering” with the iconic “Cilento Table” on Sunday, November 17th, in the village of Acciaroli.
Happy Birthday, Mediterranean Diet
As with any worthy celebration, the four-day event will feature festivity, music, and culture to fully immerse participants in the Mediterranean atmosphere. On the evening of Friday, November 15th, Acciaroli will come alive with the voice of Fabiana Martone from the Neapolitan group Nu Genea, followed by a performance by Clara, a beloved actress and singer among young people. The streets of the port will fill with food stalls, creating an immersive experience through the collaboration of local restaurateurs and tourism operators to celebrate this heritage with tastings, music, and convivial gatherings.
The tradition of the Mediterranean Diet as a shared cultural experience will be celebrated in a long communal table on Sunday, November 17th, in the center of Acciaroli, where visitors can enjoy traditional Mediterranean recipes together. In Pioppi on the same day, the ceremony for the appointment of new Mediterranean Diet Ambassadors will be held, honoring distinguished figures from various fields who have promoted and safeguarded this lifestyle. The evening will conclude with a performance by Franco Arminio, the “poet of the villages,” followed by a final concert by the Ebbanesis, filling the village of Pioppi with the atmosphere and sounds of Mediterranean culture.
