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Zaragoza hosts an international workshop on the role of olive oil for peace and sustainable development
CIHEAM > AGENDAS > Zaragoza hosts an international workshop on the role of olive oil for peace and sustainable development
  • Experts and representatives of development NGOs, universities, businesses and institutional bodies such as the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), the International Olive Council (IOC), and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) will gather in Zaragoza to discuss and reflect upon the importance of olive-growing and olive oil production in international cooperation for peace.
  • The workshop is linked to the OLIB project, coordinated by CIHEAM Zaragoza and financed by the Provincial Council of Zaragoza. The project focuses on strengthening sustainable local development and coexistence in Lebanon through improved olive yield and productivity.

Zaragoza, 19 September 2024.- Zaragoza is preparing to host the international workshop ‘Olive Oil for Peace and Sustainable Development’ within the framework of the OLIB project, coordinated by CIHEAM Zaragoza and financed by the Provincial Council of Zaragoza.

This activity is organised by CIHEAM Zaragoza, with the collaboration of the University of Zaragoza, coinciding with the 25th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace, by the General Assembly of the United Nations and serves to commemorate the International Day of Peace which is celebrated every year on 21 September.

During the press conference to present the workshop, Elena García, advisor of the presidential cabinet of the Provincial Council of Zaragoza, stated “Both the workshop and the speakers make this a very interesting event. It will be a magnificent opportunity to reflect upon the contribution of the olive sector to economic development, social inclusion, environmental sustainability and peace”.

Laura Quijano, project manager at CIHEAM Zaragoza, pointed out that the OLIB project “creates a space for knowledge-sharing between the different religious and ethnic groups that co-exist within the project’s area of operation, located along the Blue Line established by the United Nations. The eastern sector of this area is led by the Spanish Ministry of Defence, and a project of this nature is more relevant than ever, given the current situation”.

José Casanova, tenure professor of the Higher Polytechnical School of Huesca explained that the project is a continuation of the Almazara programme that ran from 2018. Casanova has travelled to the Lebanon on seven occasions and has had the opportunity to see the progress made in strengthening expertise in olive growing and olive production. "We are working with a cooperative of 300 women and as the olive grove knows no boundaries of religion, fortunately when we talk about olives and olive oil we can talk to people of all faiths”.

Furthermore, the director of the peace research movement Fundación Seminario de Investigación para la Paz, María Jesús Luna, pointed out that "the olive is a cultural element that identifies and unites Mediterranean countries. In this sense it is a channel of understanding and collaboration".

Over 200 people have registered in the workshop that will provide a forum for debate on the role of the olive sector to strengthen efficient and sustainable social and economic development. It will also host a round table with development NGOs to present and reflect upon different initiatives and cooperation activities in the agricultural and food sector that can encourage a culture of peace. The event will bring together a wide variety of experts and representatives of non-governmental organisations, universities, businesses and institutional bodies such as the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), the International Olive Council (IOC), the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and entities belonging to the local administration.