The First CIHEAM Lebanese Alumni International Seminar
Investing in Youth for Sustainable Agri-Food Systems: Linking Education to Job Opportunities and Sector Priorities
Press Release
Beirut, 24 September 2025
On 24 September 2025 in Beirut, the Lebanese Ministry of Agriculture and CIHEAM co-organised the first international seminar dedicated to CIHEAM Lebanese Alumni, with the objective of placing youth, skills, and innovation at the centre of the country’s agri-food transformation. The seminar formed part of a broader recovery effort in which employment, education, and applied research converge to deliver tangible results for agricultural and rural value chains. The event was attended by H.E. Nizar Hani, Minister of Agriculture, and H.E. Kamal Shehadi, Minister of Technological Innovation and Artificial Intelligence. Also present were the CIHEAM Delegates of Lebanon and Italy, Ms Wafaa El Dikah Hamzé and Mr Maurizio Raeli, together with the Ambassadors of Spain and Italy, representatives of the French Embassy, and the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS). The seminar further brought together representatives of Lebanese universities and research centres, as well as members of the business community and financial institutions.
Rebuilding and Modernising
Lebanon stands at a critical juncture. As efforts to rebuild and modernise the sector advance, youth engagement and capacity development are proving decisive for building more sustainable and resilient agri-food systems. A long-standing partner, the CIHEAM has, for over four decades, trained generations of Lebanese students and professionals at its Institutes in Bari, Montpellier, Zaragoza, and Chania. The seminar brought together one hundred Alumni, pooling expertise capable of informing public policies and projects across the country. In this spirit, H.E. Nizar Hani highlighted both the national stakes and the spirit of mobilisation that marked the day, recalling that agriculture in Lebanon is more than an economic sector: it is the heartbeat of rural areas, the anchor that keeps families rooted to their land, and the shield that safeguards food sovereignty. He added: “The future of agriculture and food systems belongs to young people — they are not only tomorrow’s leaders; they are already today’s innovators.”
The opening session set the tone for a shared ambition. Lebanese authorities and the CIHEAM outlined the challenges and opportunities of the sector, ahead of two keynote addresses delivered by the ministers. The Minister of Technological Innovation and Artificial Intelligence highlighted the importance of technology and creativity in driving agri-food transformation. The Minister of Agriculture presented the national priorities — from food safety to water management, and from agroecology to sustainable development — with particular emphasis on the creation of skilled employment.
Four complementary roundtables
Four roundtables structured the discussions. The first explored the transition from education to employment and the skills needed for the professions of tomorrow — ranging from the updating of curricula to strengthened dialogue between universities, technical education, and economic actors.
The second roundtable brought together entrepreneurs, researchers, and public officials to discuss innovation, digital transformation, and artificial intelligence, illustrated by concrete examples. On this theme, Wafaa El Dikah Hamzé, Senior Adviser to the Minister of Agriculture, CIHEAM Vice-President, and Delegate of Lebanon, noted: “Our agricultural sector is ageing and in need of young talents to revitalise it. The future of agriculture is not just about returning to the land; it is about moving forward through innovation — from precision agriculture and smart irrigation to renewable energy, new business models, and value chains.” She added that she had recently spoken with a young woman farmer from the Beqaa Valley who said with pride: “My greenhouse is my office, my phone is my extension service, and my drone is my new scarecrow.” El Dikah Hamzé noted that "this combination of creativity, smart technology, and resilience is precisely what the sector needs to shape the future of food systems".
The third roundtable identified research and innovation priorities for climate-resilient, sustainable agriculture, underlining the importance of cooperation between Lebanese institutions and CIHEAM Institutes.
The fourth gave the floor to Alumni to outline a roadmap for engagement and mentoring, and to define the next steps.
Concrete outcomes
The seminar aims to generate tangible outcomes. In the short term, it is expected to stimulate Alumni-led initiatives and provide clear guidance for action. In the medium term, the objective is to establish a Lebanese Alumni Network as a hub for exchanges and partnerships aligned with national priorities. Over the longer term, this network is intended to acquire a lasting framework, preserving intergenerational ties, facilitating the transmission of knowledge, and providing sustained support to public policies, in line with the CIHEAM Strategic Plan 2030. The event also promotes collaboration between the CIHEAM and Lebanese institutions, opening avenues for new programmes, fostering academic exchanges, and developing joint research initiatives.
“The future of Lebanon’s agriculture will depend on our ability to connect education to professions, to link research to markets, and to equip youth with the tools of innovation — a shared responsibility between government and the private sector, universities and farmers’ organisations, local communities and international partners,” affirmed Frida Krifca, President of the CIHEAM Governing Board. Teodoro Miano, the CIHEAM Secretary General, welcomed the momentum generated over the course of the day: “Let us carry forward the collaboration and innovation sparked here, so that every CIHEAM alumnus becomes a catalyst for positive change and for a resilient, secure future for Lebanon. Our motto should be: CIHEAM Alumni United: Sowing Seeds of Change.”
On 25 September, a field visit — notably to the Shouf Cedar Reserve and other historical and cultural sites — will extend the discussions through close engagement with realities on the ground, highlight innovative practices, and foster connections among participants, while offering a glimpse of Lebanon’s rich heritage.
SPEECHES
- S.E. Nizar Hani, Minister of Agriculture
- Mme Frida Krica, Presidente of the CIHEAM GB
- Ms Wafaa El Dikah Hamzé, Vice-Presidente of the CIHEAM GB
- M. Teodoro Miano, Secretary General of the CIHEAM
SUPPORT DOCUMENTS
"Developing sustainable food-based dietary guidelines for Lebanon: integrating health,
economic resilience, and sustainability" by Nahla Hwalla, Nour Deeb, Farah Naja and Lara Nasreddine
SESSION REPORT (Soon)
