Piacenza-Cremona, the global centre of Università Cattolica at the forefront of sustainability and with an eye on Africa

The agrivoltaic park “which has given new functions and vitality to land that had been unused for years” and “scientific projects of great value in terms of environmental sustainability” the mayor of Piacenza, Katia Tarasconi, said in her speech, for whom “the cornerstone of the bond between a university and its city is the sharing of objectives, the unified vision towards sustainable development. In the awareness that the ‘city of universities’ is a city capable of building a better future.”

Closely connected to the safeguarding of the environment are the problems of hunger and malnutrition, which require “joint actions to develop a more inclusive agricultural and food system that, supported by scientific research and technological innovation, promotes sustainable and environmentally friendly agriculture,” in the perspective of the integral ecology of Laudato si'. A paradigm, continued Rector Beccalli, “that can be applied - albeit with different perspectives - both in the Food Valley where we are located, and in the African countries with which we collaborate, and increasingly will do so, through the Africa Plan of Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore”, “an act of justice rather than charity.”

The Africa Plan is a framework for action in which “I recognise many of the values that, over 70 years ago, inspired those who made possible the creation of the first Faculty of this University in Piacenza and decided to focus on education, research and the quality of classrooms and laboratories,” said Monica Patelli in her role as President of the Province but above all in her role as sole administrator of Epis - Ente di Piacenza e Cremona per l'Istruzione Superiore [tr. Piacenza and Cremona Higher Education Organization].

Currently Università Cattolica has 123 projects active in 40 African countries, 10 of which are in the Piacenza-Cremona area alone. “If in the forties and fifties agriculture represented a key sector for the Italian economy,” said the Rector, “today this is true for Africa. This shows the importance that agro-food issues will have in the Plan for Africa.”

As demonstrated by the project in Mali in which Agrisystem PhD student Gabriele Bellotti participated. “The aim was to regenerate the agricultural soils of four rural villages and, consequently, generate wealth, development, job opportunities and reduce the incidence of irregular emigration.” According to the PhD student, “this project is not only an example of multidisciplinary and multicultural cooperation, but also demonstrates how working in synergy with local institutions can generate trust and lasting development, and lead to concrete changes in the lives of the people involved.”

Underlying everything is what Professor Beccalli has defined in various Dies as education power, “to highlight the decisive role of education as the basis for integral and sustainable development.” According to the rector, “education power can also be decisive in research, teaching and activities in the agri-food sector. One example above all: to achieve the 17 objectives of the Agenda 2030, the action of the FAO is indispensable.”

The role of international organisations – which is crucial for the ‘transformation’ of Africa - was the focus of the opening speech by Nosipho Nausca-Jean Jezile, Chair of the Committee on World Food Security at the FAO and South African Ambassador to Italy. “International, intergovernmental and regional organisations - such as the Committee on World Food Security, which I chair, or the African Union - governments, civil society and the private sector must act together to promote positive change in the region,” she said. “African countries are committed to adding investment in agriculture, thus reducing future import needs. Transforming food systems in Africa is a critical issue as the continent grapples with food insecurity, climate change, rapid urbanisation and economic shifts. Transforming food systems means ensuring that they are more sustainable, resilient and equitable, while addressing the challenges associated with malnutrition, food waste and low agricultural productivity in various territories. As Pope Francis said, the right to a truly human life logically leads to the right to sufficient food to sustain a dignified life.”

According to the Ambassador, “the transformation of food systems in Africa requires a holistic approach, combining innovation, political reform and sustainable practices. Collaboration between institutions, particularly governments, the private sector, farmers and research institutes or universities, will be fundamental to achieve a food secure and resilient continent. The Italian government’s approach to collaborating with the African continent with the ‘Mattei Plan’ is a positive development. But “success will depend,” concluded the Ambassador, “on transparent and mutually beneficial cooperation between African countries and Italy in partnership with academic institutions for evidence-based science and research to support informed decisions and investments, including the role and contribution of Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Piacenza.”