المحتوى متاح باللغة الانجليزية 

On the 28 of November and the surrounding days, ENI CBC Med Programme organized a series of activities to celebrate the Day of the Mediterranean. This new initiative promoted by the Union for the Mediterranean aims to “highlight achievements, embrace diversity, to strengthen ties between our two shores and to deepen our understanding of each other.” Discover what happened. 

The Mediterranean in one word

Diversity, joy, light, solidarity, common identity, hope, peace are among those words used by our community to depict the Mediterranean. Answering to the Union for the Mediterranean’s online campaign “What does the Mediterranean mean to you? Tell us in 1 word!”, the Programme produced 4 videos showcasing the voice of our community, including project representatives and beneficiaries, as well young people from 15 different countries. In the eyes of Khawla Aseid, Syrian refugee in Italy, the Mediterranean means hope while it also means pain for Fevour Oshiomah, Nigerian refugee in Italy. 

Watch the four videos below

Introducing young people to the world of olive oil

Probably the ultimate symbol of the Mediterranean region, olive oil was the star of the tasting event held on 30 of November in Valencia (Spain) at the premises of the Presidency of “Generalitat Valenciana”. A group of young students from the Professional School 'Xavier' (“Escuela Profesional Xavier”) has been introduced to a selection of extra virgin olive oils from different Mediterranean countries by expert Dr. Sebastián Sánchez, Professor at the Center for Advanced Studies in Olive Grove and Olive Oils of the University of Jaen (Spain) and member of the ARTOLIO project. The event, organized by the ENI CBC Med Branch Office for the Western Mediterranean, allowed to shed light on the many health benefits of olive oil and the importance of supporting small producers to ensure a high-quality product on the long run. 

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Using olive oil is like eating a dose of natural antioxidants.

Dr. Sebastián Sánchez, Professor at the Center for Advanced Studies in Olive Grove and Olive Oils of the University of Jaen

The Mediterranean culture is an additional opportunity for the professional future of young people.

Jose Fernando Andreu Mora, Academic director of Professional School 'Xavier'

The need to transmit to young people the values that unite all the peoples of the Mediterranean, that we share a history and a common idiosyncrasy. The olive branch has historically been used as a symbol of peace, and the olive tree is precisely a characteristic tree of the entire Mediterranean region.

Daría Terrádez, Director-general of Relations with the European union and the State, Generalitat Valenciana

Finally, some of the olive oil small producers supported under the ARTOLIO project were promoted on the Programme social media profiles. 




The Managing Authority would like to thank all those who contributed to our participation in the Day of the Mediterranean as well as the Secretariat of the Union for the Mediterranean for this great initiative which aims at fostering a common Mediterranean identity.

About the Day of the Mediterranean

Coinciding with the anniversary of the Barcelona Declaration of 1995, which launched the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership Process, the ‘Day of the Mediterranean’ will be observed on 28 November every year. The celebration, promoted by the Union for the Mediterranean, aims to foster a common Mediterranean identity and raise awareness about the efforts undertaken by all the stakeholders who work on a daily basis to enhance cooperation and integration in the Euro-Mediterranean area.

The Mediterranean is our home and our livelihood, our history and our future. We’re facing great challenges as a region but we also hold great potential, and the Day of the Mediterranean is a fantastic opportunity to rejoice in all that we have done and can do if we work together.

Nasser Kamel, Secretary General of the Union for the Mediterranean