ijems | editorial InterdisciplinaryPerspectives onSustainability,Development, andCultureintheMediterranean andBeyond jaka vadnjal Euro-MediterraneanUniversity,Slovenia jaka.vadnjal@emuni.si ©2024JakaVadnjal https://doi.org/10.70908/2232-6022/18.5-7 The Mediterranean region, with its rich cultural tapestry and diverse socio-economicdynamics,continuestoprovidefertilegroundforinter- disciplinary academic inquiry. In this issue of our International Jour- nalofEuro-Mediterranean Studies, wearepleasedtopresentacollec- tion of six papers that each contribute unique insightsintothe press- ingchallengesandopportunitiesfacingMediterraneansocietiestoday. Ranging from rural tourism and climate change to urban flood man- agementandpost-pandemicmediaconsumption,thesearticlesreflect thebreadthofinquirynecessarytounderstandandshapetheregion’s future. culture and tourism: music as a rural catalyst ThepaperbyGovedaricaetal.exploresanoverlookeddimensionofru- ral tourism: the role of musicians as cultural agents and drivers of re- gionaldevelopment.Bypositioningmusiciansnotjustasentertainers butasintegralpartsoflocalidentityandeconomicrevitalization,this researchstimulatesthediscourseonculturaltourism.Inthecontextof Mediterranean rural areas, where depopulation and economicstagna- tionarecommon,thispaperrevealshowmusicandlocalculturalassets can become important tools for community building and sustainable tourism. The authors advocate for strategic integration of musicians intotourismdevelopmentplans,urgingpolicymakerstoharnesstheir culturalcapitalmoreeffectively. volume 18 | 2025 | number 1 | 5–7 [6] Jaka Vadnjal sports decision-making: insights from serbian gymnastics From cultural tourism to athletic cognition, Kolaret al.delve intothe realmofdecision-makinginsports,specificallyanalyzinghowgymnas- tics coaches in Serbia navigate complex choices. This study provides criticalinsightsintothecognitiveandcontextualfactorsthatinfluence coachingstrategies.Itcombineselementsofpsychology,pedagogy,and sports science to construct a picture of how high-stakes decisions are made in elite sport settings. Given the increasing professionalization ofsportsacrosstheMediterraneanregion,thepapercontributestoan understanding of how knowledge, intuition, and experience intersect inhigh-performanceenvironments. climate change and knowledge management in the petroleum sector The work of Ahmed Aly et al. shifts our attention to the industrial andenvironmentalsphere,examiningtheEgyptianpetroleumsector’s capacity for climate change management through a knowledge man- agement lens. The authors develop a valuable framework for evalu- ating how effectively organizations collect, share, and apply climate- related knowledge. By focusing on a high-emissions industry within a vulnerable region, the study presents both a diagnostic tool and a call to action. The findings emphasize the importance of embedding knowledge-driven sustainability strategies in corporate and govern- mental frameworks, particularly in sectors with significant environ- mentalfootprints. youth, media, and post-pandemic recovery in morocco The Covid-19 pandemic has left deep psychological and societal im- prints, particularly among the youth. In their paper, El Attari et al. examine how Moroccan youth consumed media during and after the pandemic, offering a critical post-crisis analysis. Through surveys and behavioral data, the study highlightsthe change inmedia habits, per- ceptionsofinformationcredibility,andbroadersocietalanxieties.This work not only contributes to the global literature on after pandemic times but also highlights the unique cultural and informational land- scapeofNorthAfrica.Policymakers andeducators candrawfromthis ijems InterdisciplinaryPerspectives [7] researchtodevelopmoreeffectiveyouthengagementandmedialiter- acyprograms inthewake offuture crises. economic integration:a mediterranean imperative Finally,Fabianetal.tackleoneofthemostenduringchallengesinthe region: economic integration. The authors provide a thorough exami- nation of the barriers and opportunities for greater economiccooper- ation among Mediterranean states. From trade and infrastructure to regulatory harmonization, the paper argues that deeper economic in- tegrationisnotjustbeneficialbutessentialfortheregion’sstabilityand prosperity. By comparing different integration models and examining casestudies,theauthorspresentapersuasivecaseforrenewedpolitical commitment to regional cooperation in an era marked by geopolitical uncertaintyandeconomicfragmentation. conclusion: toward a holistic vision Collectively, these papers underscore the importance of interdisci- plinary approaches in addressing the Mediterranean region’s complex challenges. They invite us to considerhow cultural identity, scientific innovation, governance, and regional solidarity intersect in shaping resilientfutures.Aseditors,weareproudtohosttheseimportantcon- tributions and hope they inspire further research and collaboration acrossdisciplinaryandnationalborders. volume 18 | 2025 | number 1