Francesco Rutelli is a journalist and well-known former Italian politician, born in Rome in 1954. He made his mark on the administrative history of the capital as its first mayor to be directly elected by the citizens, leading the city from 1993 to 2001 and overseeing the major projects for the 2000 Jubilee. Having served on several occasions as a member of the Italian Parliament and the European Parliament, he held leading roles within the centre-left, including that of Minister for Cultural Heritage and Activities and Deputy Prime Minister between 2006 and 2008.
After leaving institutional politics in 2013, he devoted himself entirely to promoting sustainability, cultural diplomacy and film education. Having concluded his historic term as head of ANICA in 2024, his main role today is that of Founder and President of the Soft Power Club, an international multilateral organisation that promotes global dialogue, alongside his presidency of the ANICA Academy and the Centre for a Sustainable Future.