scholarly journals Sustainability of Food Systems in the Mediterranean Region

New Medit ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  

Despite the recurring discourse on food systems and their sustainability in the Mediterranean region, compre-hensive studies are hard to find. Therefore, this article provides an overview on the challenges and perspectives of food systems in the Mediterranean. In particular, the paper addresses the main challenges (environmental, economic, socio-cultural and nutrition-health) facing Mediterranean food systems; analyses the multifaceted relations between sustainable food systems (SFS) and sustainable diets by exploring the example of the Medi-terranean diet; and briefly presents the relevance of the innovation for Mediterranean food systems. The paper highlights the urgency of action to move towards sustainable and resilient food systems in the Mediterranean area. This is particularly relevant in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. For that, there is a need for shared policy, governance, practice and research agenda. In this respect, the contribution of CIHEAM results fundamental. The paper concludes by highlighting the disruptive potential of the SFS-Med Platform – under co-development by CIHEAM, FAO and the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) – to foster food systems trans-formation towards sustainability and accelerate the achievement of SDGs in the region.

New Medit ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberto Ridolfi ◽  
Sandro Dernini ◽  
Jamie Morrison ◽  
Árni M. Mathiesen ◽  
Roberto Capone

The Coronavirus pandemic has revealed the fragility of our food systems, affecting all dimensions of food security and nutrition across the world. It has highlighted how deeply our world is interconnected and the importance of better recognising and understanding the interconnections that are intrinsic to these systems and their key role in pursuit of the SDGs of the 2030 Agenda. There is now, more than ever, a stronger need for a “route change” towards a common action on food systems transformation. Dialogues among all stakeholders to redesign the future of tomorrow’s food systems are needed to trigger collective, multi-stakeholder actions on the ground, at local, regional and global level, towards more sustainable food systems, linking sustainable food production to more healthy and sustainable food consumption. In this context CIHEAM, FAO, and the Union for the Mediterranean Secretariat (UfMS) initiated in 2019, a joint collaborative effort for the establishment of a multi-stakeholder platform on Sustainable Food Systems in the Mediterranean to accelerate the shift towards the Agenda 2030 in the Mediterranean region, with the Mediterranean diet acting as a driver.


2021 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 110-118
Author(s):  
Anka Trajkovska Petkoska ◽  
Anita Trajkovska-Broach

Abstract Sustainability should be an imperative in everyone’s lifestyle in order to achieve an equilibrium between humans and ecosystem for the wellbeing of current and future generations. Sustainable food systems and healthy diets are main key-players to achieve sustainable planet and lifestyle and at the same time to be in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (Agenda of 17 global goals set by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015 to achieve better and sustainable future for all). Such food systems offer not only a way towards ending the hunger, but also enable healthy nations and less environmental pollution. A good representative of a sustainable food system is the Mediterranean diet that is affordable and accessible even in the regions far from the Mediterranean basin. Raw or minimally cooked plant-based food products flavoured by different herbs and spices are the foundation of this diet packed with powerful nutrients, vitamins, and minerals, enriched with healthy fats from extra virgin olive oil. The Mediterranean lifestyle provides many health and wellbeing benefits for humans. Authors believe that adhering to it leads to healthy nations and a sustainable world with less hunger.


Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 2229 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elliot M Berry

During the past decade, the concept of sustainability has been added to the factors involved in food security. This has led to a more comprehensive and holistic approach to sustainable food systems which considers drivers—environment, geopolitics, demographics, policy regulations, socio-cultural-economic factors, science and technology and infrastructure. The outcomes, similarly, involve many dimensions—environment, food security and nutrition, health and socio-cultural-economic aspects. This article discusses the Mediterranean diet in the context of sustainable food systems and shows (as in all parts of the world) that there is food insecurity in every country as monitored by the Global Nutrition Index. Three recent, major reports published in 2019 suggest what measures need to be taken to improve sustainable food systems. All environmental analyses agree on the need to promote more plant-based diets—achieved practically by using “more forks than knives”. The Mediterranean Diet pattern is a case study for a sustainable diet. It has the best scientific evidence for being healthy, together with economic and socio-cultural benefits. A major challenge is that it is not consumed by the majority of the population in the Mediterranean region, and any solution must involve equity—the socially just allocation of resources. The task now is implementation with multi-stakeholder involvement, in the knowledge that “a well fed nation is a healthy nation is a sustainable and productive nation”.


New Medit ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  

There is an abundance of actions that could positively change the way food systems operate in the Mediterranean region. However, the uptake of these actions at local level has proven to be slow and often limited in their scope and impact. Considering the diverse nature of agri-food systems challenges in the region, trade-offs in interventions and the diversity of stakeholders, a radical shift from focusing on top-down, global solutions for sustainable food systems, to adapting demand driven, country-led actions is required. This review uses a food systems lens to identify four levers which are essential to “enable” and accelerate the adoption of game changing solutions to food systems challenges by local actors in the Mediterranean region. These are namely: 1) Multi-stakeholder collaboration; 2) Data and evidence; 3) Technological innovation; and 4) Coherent policies and investment. We recognize that each of these enablers is a powerful mean of change, but the evidence suggests that a sustainable and inclusive transformation is only possible when they are deployed together in an integrated and inten-tional way. Results of this review outline some of the barriers to unlocking the potential of enablers and provide insights on how to use their power to transform Mediterranean food systems.


Sexes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 305-314
Author(s):  
Demetris Hadjicharalambous ◽  
Stavros Parlalis

Migration in the Mediterranean region has increased greatly during the last years. Reports and studies reveal that violence and injuries among refugees and migrants is a common occurrence in the WHO Europe Region. Available literature indicates that sexual violence incidents take place: (a) during the migratory journey to the host country, (b) while in detention centers, (c) once migrants have reached their destination, and (d) during the period in which a woman is subject of trafficking. This manuscript explores how sexual violence against refugee/immigrant women is presented in the international literature; a narrative review of the literature was conducted on the phenomenon of migration in the Mediterranean area, and specifically on sexual violence of migrant women. In order to face the challenges faced by migrant women victims of sexual violence, the following policies are suggested by international literature: (a) offer emergency medical and health care to sexual violence survivors, which is usually relatively limited, (b) offer mental health care and psychological support for sexual violence when planning services to provide clinical care, and (c) work towards the aim of transforming norms and values in order to promote gender equality and support non-violent behaviours.


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