UNESCO-Euromed Chair in Mediterranean Interculturalities: Security and Sustainable Development

On December 27, the Euromed University of Fes organized a conference on the theme "Security in the Mediterranean and Sustainable Development," led by Prof. Abderrahman Tenkoul, Dean of the Euromed Faculty of Human and Social Sciences (FSHS). This event, part of the work of the UNESCO-Euromed Chair "Mediterranean Interculturalities", addressed essential issues for the Mediterranean region through structured and ambitious reflection.

At the heart of the debates, discussions explored a global perspective to highlight the major perils resulting from climate disruption. The increase in natural disasters in recent years illustrates these growing risks, which could in the future lead to consequences of unprecedented severity.

The most appropriate approaches to address the hazards compromising sustainable development were also examined through the prism of the region's specific challenges. The Dean emphasized that the Mediterranean, one of the most vulnerable regions, faces numerous issues, such as unemployment, migration, co-development, industrial transformations, health autonomy, and the technological divide.

Prof. Tenkoul enriched the debate by delving into the interrelation between security and sustainable development, stressing the necessity for the Mediterranean region to guarantee its security in order to support its progress, consolidate its sovereignty, and meet the demands of sustainable development. He called for a comprehensive reappropriation of Mediterranean lifestyles, notably through ecological and culinary traditions, as well as innovative management of natural resources and exploration of new wealth.

During the exchanges with the audience, composed of students and researchers, concrete avenues for action were identified, including a call to move from a society of "normalized risk" to one of "calculated and managed security." This requires an urgent and organized collective awakening from Mediterranean peoples. This vision, integrating an ethics of the future, demonstrates a shared commitment to a more resilient and sustainable future for the Mediterranean region. This event fully embodies UEMF's mission to contribute to reflections on the major societal challenges of our time.