Understandıng Global Developments from the Trace of Water

Marking the anniversary of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), this year's World Food Day on October 16 is being celebrated with a series of distinguished events under the theme of 'Water is Life. Water is Food. Leave No One Behind,' spanning across the globe, including Türkiye in 2023. The events are designed to foster global awareness and drive change toward the achievement of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. As part of these initiatives, Özyeğin University played host to the panel 'Understanding Global Developments Through Water Footprint' on October 12, 2023.

The welcoming remarks were delivered by our Rector Prof. Esra Gençtürk, and Viorel Gutu, FAO Representative for Türkiye and Sub-Regional Coordinator for Central Asia. Meanwhile, the opening address was delivered by Prof. Lütfi Akca, President at the Turkish Water Institute (SUEN).

Organized with the valuable contributions of executives from national and international organizations as well as Özyeğin University faculty, the panel “Understanding Global Developments Through Water Footprint” delved into the intricate relationship between sustainable water and food. The event marked a significant milestone in Özyeğin University's flourishing partnership with FAO, which commenced in 2022. Prof. Deniz Şenol Sert, a faculty member at the International Relations Department at Özyeğin University, moderated the panel, featuring distinguished speakers including Dr. Aysegül Selışık, Assistant FAO Representative for Türkiye, Dr. Tuğba Evrim Maden, Policy Development Coordinator at the Turkish Water Institute (SUEN), Assistant Prof. Mine Tekman from the Natural and Mathematical Sciences Department at Özyeğin University, and Begüm Yontar Avcı, Board Member at the Packaged Water Manufacturers Association (SUDER).