The Panel “Understanding Global Developments Through Water Footprint” Takes Place Under the Auspices of Özyeğin University in Observance of World Food Day on October 16

Marking the anniversary of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), this year's World Food Day on October 16 is 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 speeches were delivered by our Rector Prof. Dr. Esra Gençtürk, and Viorel Gutu, FAO Representative for Türkiye and Sub-Regional Coordinator for Central Asia. Prof. Dr. Esra Gençtürk expressed her pride and happiness in uniting students and stakeholders on campus in observance of this notable event at the very beginning of the academic year. Emphasizing the event as a remarkable milestone in Özyeğin University's thriving partnership with the FAO, Prof. Dr. Esra Gençtürk remarked: “Today, as we gather to commemorate the United Nations' World Food Day, a pivotal event marking the FAO's anniversary, and an annual celebration within our university, it is evident, in light of scientific research, that the accessibility of water, now a limited and ever-diminishing natural resource, presents undeniable challenges that can no longer be overlooked. I consider the theme of this year's World Food Day, "Leave No One Behind," profoundly significant. It is imperative that we make every effort to prevent any person from being left behind in all spheres of life. All efforts directed towards the conservation of water resources as well as the promotion of water efficiency, saving, and reuse, which have now become a global priority, call for a robust collaboration among governments, international organizations, civil society, the private sector, and universities. Our panel today is a memorable and meaningful testimony of this collaboration.

Hosting this panel holds a special place at our hearts as Özyeğin University. We are the first higher education institution in Türkiye that placed sustainability at the top of its agenda in 2015. Driven by this aim, our partnership with TÜSİAD culminated in the establishment of the Sustainable Development Forum in 2017, followed by the launch of our exclusive Sustainability Platform in 2018, serving as an overarching mechanism. We have a well-established structure in place that closely monitors and coordinates a diverse range of initiatives undertaken at our university towards the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Even prior to the incorporation of these initiatives into any international rankings, we had been making significant progress in these domains. Subsequently, in 2019, the Times Higher Education (THE) introduced a world university ranking that assessed the performance of universities in terms of their social impact. In the same year, our university placed 72nd in the overall rankings, standing as the only Turkish university within the top 100 of this prestigious ranking. We are internalizing such significant social impacts in our university culture as we move forward. I extend my heartfelt wishes for the continued progress of today's event through many more endeavors and collaborations grounded in scientific research and focused on yielding tangible results.”

Meanwhile, Viorel Gutu, the FAO Representative for Turkey and Sub-Regional Coordinator for Central Asia, expressed his delight at returning to Özyeğin University, after having previously visited in 2022. In his speech, Mr. Gutu highlighted that World Food Day is celebrated in over 50 languages across more than 150 countries. Delivering the opening remarks, Prof. Dr. Lütfi Akca, President at the Turkish Water Institute (SUEN), expressed his happiness to be at such a memorable event.

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 partnership with FAO, which commenced in 2022. The panel was moderated by Prof. Dr. Deniz Şenol Sert, a faculty member at the International Relations Department at Özyeğin University, 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).