Near East University hosted a big meeting centered on planetary health. The “Sustainable Living Principles for Planetary Health” symposium held at the Irfan Günsel Congress Center addressed the importance of environmental sustainability and conscious living habits!
The “Effective Sustainable Living Principles for Planetary Health” symposium held by Near East University to emphasize the importance of environmental sustainability and conscious living habits addressed remarkable issues. The event, carried out in collaboration with the university’s Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Dean of Students’ Office and Nutrition and Dietetics Student Club, was held at the Irfan Günsel Congress Center with intense participation.
The symposium, which was held in three main sessions, discussed the topics of “World and Human,” “Agriculture, Technology and the World,” and “Lifestyle Activities and Planetary Health.” The symposium, which ended with the “Discussion and Expert Opinions” panel, offered a broad perspective to the participants with contributions from experts from different disciplines. The event, which drew attention to the importance of taking conscious steps regarding planetary health, discussed many topics from the environment to agriculture, technology to individual lifestyle habits.
The opening speeches of the symposium were made by the Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Prof. Dr. Adile Öniz, Head of the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mustafa Hoca, and Head of the Nutrition and Dietetics Student Club, Zeynep Yıldırım. The event, which was also attended by the Rector of Near East University, Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ, attracted great interest from academics and students.
From environment to agriculture, technology to food, ‘planetary health’ with different disciplines!
The first session of the symposium was held in memory and honor of the late Assoc. Prof. Dr. Serdar Susever, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences of Near East University and Advisor to the Student Scientific Research and Health Club, who passed away in 2019. In the first session, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Taygun Dayı addressed the effects of human behavior on the environment in detail in his presentation titled “Human Factor in Planetary Health”. Then, Prof. Dr. Murat Özgören, in his presentation titled “The Planet and Homo Sapiens: Lease Agreement”, focused on the relationship humanity has established with nature within the framework of a sense of responsibility.
In the second session, Prof. Dr. Özge Özden addressed the effects of agricultural activities on the environment with her presentation titled “How Do Individual and Commercial Agriculture Affect Planetary Health?”, while Electrical and Electronics Engineer Savaş Bağkur spoke on the effects of technology on environmental sustainability with his presentation titled “Recent Innovations in Technology and Their Effects on Planetary Health.”
In the last session, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Melis Bağkur discussed the role of individual mobility on the environment with her presentation titled “Physical Activity and Its Role on the Planet,” while Assoc. Prof. Dr. Servet Madencioğlu comprehensively addressed the environmental effects of food production and consumption processes with her presentation titled “The Planetary Burden of Food from Farm to Table.”
The world is running out of time!
In the opening speech of the symposium, Near East University Faculty of Health Sciences Dean Prof. Dr. Adile Öniz addressed the participants and said, “My request from you is to bring the knowledge and awareness we have gained here to wider audiences and ensure that these issues are discussed more in society. Only in this way can we make meaningful contributions to raising awareness and saving our world together.”
Head of the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mustafa Hoca said, “Sustainability means achieving balance in many areas such as economy, social, cultural, health, agriculture, technology, and nutrition. However, by using the resources we have correctly, we can leave a more livable planet for future generations.” Drawing attention to the importance of raising awareness and educating the society on this issue, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hoca concluded his speech by commemorating the late Assoc. Prof. Dr. Serdar Susever.
Head of the Student Club of Nutrition and Dietetics Zeynep Yıldırım said, “The symposium is an important opportunity to talk about what we can do to protect the future of our planet,” and emphasized that sustainability is possible by taking responsibility for the correct use of resources by everyone from individuals to society. Reminding that the damage to nature threatens the future, Yıldırım stated that big changes are possible with small steps and hoped that the symposium would inspire new ideas and collaborations.
