"NATURE AND PEACE" DISCUSSED AT THE PATHWAYS TO PEACE CONFERENCE

HÜRRİYET NEWSPAPER

10.12.2017

To read the news: https://www.hurriyet.com.tr/

ANKARA, (DHA) Özlem Uzman, Chairperson of the EGET Foundation Board of Directors, stated that scientific studies conducted to feed the world's population have revealed that, contrary to popular belief, ecological farming should be widespread instead of agriculture supported by GMOs and fertilizers. The sixth conference in TED University's "Paths to Peace" series was held under the title "Peace and Nature." Speaking at the conference, Safai Özer and Özlem Uzman, founders of the EGET Foundation, which was established to provide scholarships to students using income generated from ecological farming and ecological tourism, emphasized that agriculture in harmony with nature is possible. The conference, prepared by Zuhal Yeşilyurt Gündüz, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, was also attended by TED University Rector Belgin Ayvaşık.

“ECOLOGICAL AGRICULTURE IS THE FUTURE OF THE WORLD”

Özlem Uzman, Founder and Chairperson of the Board of the Education Geriatrics Ecological Agriculture Tourism Foundation (EGET), emphasized that the "Agriculture at a Crossroads" report, published in 2009 by the United Nations-supported "International Assessment of Agricultural Knowledge Science and Technology for Development," revealed the necessity of ecological agriculture to feed the world's population. Uzman noted that biotechnology and genetically modified organism (GMO) organizations, which supported the report's preparation, withdrew during the writing phase upon seeing this scientific finding. She explained, "Because, contrary to their claims, the report states that ecological agriculture is the only solution to feed the world's population." Uzman also reminded that the Rodale Institute, a US-based institution working on the relationship between healthy soil, food, and humans, has proven that organic soil absorbs carbon dioxide, while soil fertilized with artificial fertilizers releases carbon dioxide.

Explaining that ecological agriculture is a discipline based on both philosophical and technical scientific foundations, Uzman said, “Permaculture (sustainable agriculture) is defined by Bill Morrison as the conscious design, maintenance, and harmonious integration of nature and humans into productive ecosystems that possess the diversity, stability, and resilient nature of natural ecosystems. Permaculture stems from rational observations spread over time. It aims for energy and water conservation, sustainable local food production, and regional self-sufficiency. It aims for a sustainable world that provides us with food, energy, and shelter, and protects the world's resources.”

Truffle Mushrooms, Food for the Rich, Will Become Scholarships for Low-Income Students

Özlem Uzman stated that the EGET Foundation was established to provide scholarships to students and will obtain all its income from donations and ecological agriculture, tourism, and geriatric activities, adding that they also aim to disseminate knowledge about ecological agriculture. Özlem Uzman, stating that they have established a 20-acre agricultural enterprise in Ula district of Muğla, consisting of truffle-inoculated oak saplings to cultivate truffles, which fetch a price of 1000 Euros per kilogram, announced that the first harvest will take place in 2019. Uzman also noted that two different types of lavender have been planted on the same land, explaining that the two different types bloom at different times, and the longer flowering period allows bees to produce more lavender honey. Özlem Uzman stated that both products are grown in accordance with ecological farming principles.

HUMANS ARE THE ONLY LIVING CREATURES THAT HARM NATURE

Safai Özer, Founder and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of EGET, also emphasized that humans are the only living creatures that harm nature on Earth. Highlighting that humans exhibit a behavior of "war with nature," Safai Özer noted that humans focus on themselves in their relationship with nature, whereas harmony should be sought. "While people say, 'Let the trees serve me, let the plants serve me, let the living things on earth serve me,' our arrogance leads to an understanding in our hearts that everyone on earth, or at least everyone in the country, should serve me. And then we hope for peace," said Safai Özer, adding, "We cannot achieve peace unless we surrender to something. We tried to subdue nature and failed. Nature is chuckling, saying, 'I will eventually subdue it,' and it does. We need to end this war, we need to surrender to nature. We must surrender in the sense of respecting it, not in the sense of demanding nothing from nature."