At the 8th NYC Green Mentors Conference, held at Cornell University’s ILR Centre on September
23–24, 2024, Renars Raubiskis, representing the Antonio Meneghetti Scientific and Humanistic
Research Foundation presented the Hortus Lizori project as an innovative example of how higher
education can actively support rural revitalization and sustainable development. The presentation,
based on the research of Prof. Fabio Bianconi and Prof. Marco Filippucci, professors at the
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering of the University of Perugia, outlined how the
project connects education, research, civic engagement, and heritage preservation in rural areas
through a model that has already engaged more than 30 universities across Europe and beyond.
The Hortus Lizori initiative is led by the Antonio Meneghetti Scientific and Humanistic Research
Foundation.
The initiative also serves as a model for knowledge transfer and capacity-building in rural areas,
emphasizing the integration of education and heritage preservation. The Meneghetti Foundation
continues to expand its work internationally, sharing its methods with other academic institutions,
professional networks, and administrative bodies interested in replicating the approach.
The main goal of Green Mentors—“What do we intend to achieve? Responsible education for a
sustainable future”—is perfectly aligned with the mission of our Foundation.
Hortus Lizori stands as an exemplary project supported by our research, reflecting the values of the
United Nations and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
