The value of horticultural therapy as a tool for healing, well-being, and social inclusion. This is the theme of "Territory, Health, and Inclusion: The Value of Horticultural Therapy," a conference scheduled for Friday, October 30th, at the multipurpose farm "Abitare con il verde" in San Gaetano, Quartucciu. The stated goal is to build new synergies between the local community, institutions, and families.

The event is promoted by the Sant'Isidoro "Mario Fadda" Rural District with Coldiretti Cagliari, the Fondazione di Sardegna, and "Abitare con il verde," in collaboration with numerous third-sector organizations and the University of Cagliari.

The meeting will open at 9:00 a.m. with greetings from Carlo Secci, president of the Sant'Isidoro Rural District, and Giuseppe Casu, director of the Coldiretti Cagliari Provincial Federation.

The first session, "Horticultural Therapy in Italy and the World," will begin at 10:00 a.m., coordinated by journalist Francesca Melis. Ania Balducci, agronomist and ATHA horticultural therapist, will discuss the profession of horticultural therapist, focusing on healing and wellness; architect Monica Botta, therapeutic garden designer, will illustrate the design of therapeutic and healing gardens; Efisio Perra, councilor for Coldiretti Sardinia, will discuss the relationship between horticultural therapy and rehabilitation and the path toward legislative recognition.

At noon, a roundtable discussion will take place with MPs Salvatore Deidda and Francesca Ghirra, the President of the Sardinia Regional Council Piero Comandini, Regional Councillor Lorenzo Cozzolino, member of the Health Commission, Annalena Cogoni, director of the Botanical Garden of the University of Cagliari, Silvia Paba of the Mental Health Department of the Cagliari Local Health Authority, and Giorgio Efisio Demurtas, president of the Coldiretti Cagliari Provincial Federation.

After lunch, featuring a tasting of products from the Rural District, curated by the Noi Altri social cooperative, at 3:00 p.m., a session dedicated to "Horticultural Therapy Experiences in Sardinia," again coordinated by Francesca Melis, will take place. Annalena Cogoni and Gianluca Iiriti will present the activities of the Cagliari Botanical Garden; Mariolina Fusco (IFOLD) and Stefano Piredda, president of the LVP association, will focus on training for experts in vegetable gardens and wellness gardens. Silvia Giacobbe and Paola Cannas, along with participants, will discuss the "Care of the Healing Garden" project by "Living with Greenery"; Luisa Massacci of the Pocopoco social cooperative will discuss the social and work integration of young people in difficulty, while representatives of the Lions Club will illustrate their support activities for wellness in the garden.

Also speaking will be Rita Angela Pitzalis, president of the ANFFAS Onlus Cagliari Foundation, Lauretta Impera (ADEST social cooperative), Floriana Murru (La casa nell'albero ODV association), Caterina Carta (Passaparola social cooperative), Paola Ugas and Roberto Boi of Laore Sardegna, and Antonella Angioni, Slow Food Cagliari representative.

The day will conclude at 5 pm with a snack and a visit to the vegetable garden with the COC project participants.

The farm can be reached from State Road 125 towards Burcei: at kilometer 18, immediately after the intersection with the ramp to Villasimius, turn right across a ditch overpass, opposite the red gate with the "Amanda B&B" sign, then immediately left along the dirt road until you reach the gray gate of "Abitare con il verde". For information: 338 225 8656.

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