The article discusses the Med-O-Med program, which aims to preserve cultural heritage and biodiversity in the Mediterranean region and the Middle East. The program focuses on promoting cultural landscapes and fostering cooperation between Europe and the Arab world. It involves multiple countries such as Iran, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine, Qatar, Syria, Tunisia, and Turkey.
The initiative includes initiatives like establishing botanical gardens, conserving heritage sites, and encouraging cultural exchanges to enhance mutual understanding and appreciation. Collaboration with UNESCO is a crucial aspect of the program, ensuring adherence to landscape conservation guidelines and international standards. The Med-O-Med project emphasises the importance of education by advocating for the inclusion of Islamic history and Arabic language teaching in school and university curricula. It also calls for increased student exchange programs, similar to Erasmus and Demosthenes, through the Averroes program.
The organisation behind the initiative values networking and collaboration, viewing green spaces as symbols of cultural encounters, scientific development, spirituality, and well-being. The cultural landscapes of the Mediterranean are seen as spaces of coexistence and understanding, representing a shared aspiration for all individuals to find enjoyment and unity. Cherif Abderrahman Jah’s vision encapsulates the essence of these landscapes as inclusive places where people of all backgrounds can come together harmoniously.
