From June 18 to 20, 2025, the Monastero Regina Coeli in Naples will host Planeterranea,  an international symposium exploring the connections between food, culture, and health. The event highlights the Mediterranean Diet as a global model for sustainable and healthy living and includes the 2nd Yale Symposium on Gastronomy and Culture, jointly held with the Italian research network OnFoods (Spoke 5).

The symposium is promoted by the UNESCO Chair in Health Education and Sustainable Development (Naples), in collaboration with Yale School of Public Health, the OnFoods Foundation, the PRIMA Partnership, and a network of Italian and international universities and research institutions.

With more than 30 expert speakers from across the world, Planeterranea creates a space for interdisciplinary dialogue between science, public health, policy, and food culture. 

The event promotes the Mediterranean Diet not only as a nutritional model, but as a cultural heritage capable of supporting sustainability, equity, and wellbeing in food systems worldwide.

Full Programme

Wednesday, June 18 – Monastero Regina Coeli, Naples

10:00 – 13:00
Early Career Scientists (ECS) Meeting – ONFOODS Spoke 5
Chairs: Iolanda Cioffi, Gaia Maria Anelli
With: Martina Abodi, Annamaria Di Martino

14:00 – 15:00
Welcome to the Symposium
Speakers: Annamaria Colao (UNESCO Chair, Naples), Vasilis Vasiliou (Yale School of Public Health)
Opening message: Maria Neira (World Health Organization)

15:00 – 17:00
Session: Gastronomy and Culture
Chairs: Vasilis Vasiliou, Antonia Trichopoulou
Speakers: Antonia Trichopoulou, Aris Kefaloiannis, Ramon Estruch, Tassos Kyriakides, Maria Luisa Clodoveo

17:00 – 17:30
Lecture: Margherita Ferrante (University of Catania)

17:30 – 19:00
Roundtable: The Future of Agrifood System Research and Innovation in Italy
Chair: Maria Cristina Di Domizio (CL.A.N.)
With: Danilo Ercolini, Daniele Del Rio, Chiara Nobili, Angelo Riccaboni, Maria Cristina Di Domizio

19:00
Welcome cocktail and “Art and Health” exhibition

Thursday, June 19

10:00 – 10:30
The ONFOODS Project: International Perspectives
Speaker: Daniele Del Rio (University of Parma)
Chair: Annamaria Colao

10:30 – 12:00
Session: A Bridge to the Future of Mediterranean Diet – Culture is Health
Chairs: Prisco Piscitelli, Angeliki I. Katsafadou
Speakers: Vasilis Vasiliou, Veronica Manfredi, Harris Pastides, Patricia Moore, Annamaria Colao

12:00 – 13:00
Session: Creative Cities and Healthy Lifestyles
Chairs: Daniele Del Rio, Teresa Armato
Contributions from: Cinzia Franchini (University of Parma), Francesca Scazzina (Parma UNESCO City of Gastronomy), Roberto Cavallo (City of Alba), Paolo Pinna (Bergamo Bio-District)

13:00 – 14:00
Lunch: “Planeteranean Diet”

Friday, June 20

10:00 – 12:00
Mediterranean Diet: Role in Human–Environment Interaction
Chairs: Maria Ida Maiorino, Filomena Morisco
Lecture: Carlo Ventura (University of Bologna)
Panelists: Vincenzo Di Marzo, Sebastiano Banni, Juan Lubroth, Mohamed Banni

14:00 – 15:30
Nutritional Approaches for Individuals on Drug Therapy for Metabolic Diseases
Chairs: Silvia Savastano, Rosario Pivonello
Lecture: Anmol Kapoor (BioAro Ltd)
Speakers: Chiara Graziadio, Katherine Esposito, Nicola Tecce, Daniela Laudisio, Carolina Di Somma

17:30 – 18:00
Final Remarks and Closing Session