Agenda

Speakers:

• Andrea Pieroni, Full Professor of Environmental and Applied Botany, University of Gastronomic Sciences: Prof. Pieroni will present the theses on the relevance of LEK, highlighting its critical role in the sustainability of socio-ecological systems.
• Naji Sulaiman, Assistant Professor, University of Gastronomic Sciences: Assoc. Prof. Sulaiman will discuss a Syrian case study focusing on foraging as an ecological practice and adaptation strategy in war and post-war contexts, illustrating its impact on food security.

Discussant:
Julia Prakofjewa, Post Doc, Department of Environmental Sciences, Informatics and Statistics, Ca' Foscari University of Venice, will facilitate a discussion on the broader implications of the presented topics.

Chair:
Renata Soukand, Associate Professor, Department of Environmental Sciences, Informatics and Statistics, Ca' Foscari University of Venice, will chair the session, guiding the dialogue.

Abstract:
The urgency to integrate sustainable practices into our daily lives and policies has never been more critical. Local Ecological Knowledge, with its deep roots in the co-evolution of human communities and their natural surroundings, offers invaluable insights into sustainable living that are often overlooked in contemporary environmental discourse. This seminar aims to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation for LEK in addressing current and future environmental challenges by bringing to light the intricate relationships between local knowledge, cultural heritage, and sustainability. As an in-depth illustration of the importance LEK can have on food security, we will discuss a Syrian case study and the impact that foraging has had on improving the domestic food security of rural areas in critical times. In war and post-war contexts, foraging is a well-known human ecological practice and adaptation strategy to food crises and food access that are often linked to conflicts and turbulences.

The seminar seeks to:

• Illuminate the multifaceted role of LEK in sustainability.
• Provide a platform for sharing indigenous wisdom and practices.
• Foster dialogue between academics, practitioners, and local communities.
• Encourage the integration of LEK into environmental policies and sustainability strategies.