in the Mediterranean - GID

decided to focus GID action on the development of a Mediterranean
Science Area and the creation of the Parmenides program.
Two major events have materialized the birth of this initiative: the
creation of the EMAN network already mentioned and the organisation
the Parmenides Conferences.
The first Conference took place in June 2008 at Institut de France
in Paris and has brought together 150 participants representing 23
Mediterranean countries and 17 Science Academies. Under the
general title "Environment and sustainable development in the
Mediterranean Region", 3 main workshops have been organised
dealing with Agriculture and sustainable development, halieutic resources
and environment, impact of climate changes and adaptation.
Specific recommendations have been issued and forwarded to
heads of states and Institutions participating to the first Conference
of the Union for Mediterranean (July 2008).
The unanimously recognised success of the first conference has encouraged
the organisation of the second GID Conference which
was organised in Rome by the Accademia dei Lincei from 12 to 14
October 2009.
Devoted to "Science and Health in the Mediterranean Region" with
a special focus on genes-pathogens and environment, 3 main symposia
were dedicated to genetic diseases, hereditary and environmental
factors in chronic diseases, epidemiology of infectious and
emerging diseases.
The first opportunity of a shared regional vision of the major health
challenges took place in a particularly relevant context.
The Mediterranean Region, reputed over the world for its exemplary
diet is paradoxically becoming one of the regions of the
world with the highest increase of the incidence of metabolic and
cardio vascular diseases.
A dramatic change in life styles and food habits, a real loss of diversity
has generated the emergence of diabetes, obesity, cardio
vascular diseases, asthma in the Mediterranean and the Gulf Countries.
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