Gruppo Esponenti Italiani’s New York chapter held its monthly discussion series on Wednesday, featuring Francesco Rocca — president of the Lazio region in Italy, which comprises Rome. An elected official who has eschewed party affiliation, Rocca shared insights garnered through his uncommon path into public service, which comes by way of a prior career as president of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent.
Rocca told attendees that working in the humanitarian field with the storied organization offered him “the privilege of truth” denied to most other political actors, thanks to a policy of confidentiality toward the governments and other entities with which the Red Cross interfaces to reach those in need. “It’s important to be able to talk to anybody, even the so-called ‘bad guys,’” he said, adding that years of engaging in such experiences have reshaped his point of view.
