Perspectives

International Olive Council

CCNY has begun a dialogue with the International Olive Council (IOC) regarding education, sensory analysis, research, and possible future collaboration. IOC Executive Director Jaime Lillo is scheduled to visit CCNY in November 2026 for discussions with university leadership and faculty and to learn more about CCNY's capabilities. The Task Group is considering the areas of IOC engagement that would be most meaningful for CCNY and what capabilities would need to be developed over time.

People & Livelihoods: Valorizing the Olive - Empowering the Producer

Small producers and rural communities are central rather than peripheral. The objective is not simply producing more olive oil, but increasing the value of knowledge, quality and place so that more economic value can remain with producers and their communities.

Olive Diplomacy

New York as a meeting place for the olive-growing world.

CCNY is able to convene scientists, students, producers, ambassadors, Consuls General, Permanent Missions to the United Nations, IOC representatives and universities. The existing UNU relationship gives the international dimension substance rather than making it merely aspirational. The UNU describes the CCNY Hub as connecting the College to global research, education, SDGs, and international relations. 

“Country at CCNY” will be our signature component event: producer/scientist dialogues, ambassador conversations, harvest-season seminars, comparative water-stress forums, tastings tied to science rather than commercial promotion.