Francesco Serafini

Community Leadership Award

Mr. Francesco Serafini, an Italian peacebuilder currently based in Madrid, Spain, has been named the recipient of the 2025 IPA | AIP Community Leadership Award, in recognition of his unwavering commitment to peacebuilding, community empowerment, and environmental stewardship.

As the Founder and President of The Garden of Peace, an international initiative dedicated to transforming lands affected by conflict into gardens of healing and reconciliation, Mr. Serafini has demonstrated how peace can take root in tangible, living forms. The Garden of Peace supports local communities in reclaiming war-torn or neglected land, transforming it into vibrant spaces for reflection, education, and intercultural dialogue.

Mr. Serafini’s vision emphasizes healing the wounds of conflict while nurturing social cohesion, ecological sustainability, and youth engagement. Through The Garden of Peace, he has advanced initiatives that blend environmental regeneration with peace education, providing communities with tools to reclaim their dignity and agency through collective stewardship of the land.

Currently based in Madrid, Mr. Serafini’s background in international cooperation, education, and humanitarian service has deeply informed his approach to community leadership. His experience with the International Labour Organization (ILO), the Italian Red Cross, and diverse education and youth empowerment projects underscores his commitment to building inclusive communities rooted in justice, resilience, and hope.

Mr. Serafini’s distinguished career also includes over two decades as Head of Research, Development, and Environment at the International Olive Council (IOC), where he led global initiatives in biodiversity conservation, sustainable agriculture, and climate action. His work in establishing world olive germplasm collections, advancing climate resilience in agriculture, and promoting sustainability in olive oil production has had a lasting impact across the Mediterranean and beyond.

An accomplished agronomist, Mr. Serafini has authored globally recognized publications, including the World Catalogue of Olive Varieties and Production Techniques in Olive Growing, and developed practical tools for calculating the carbon footprint of olive oil production. As a frequent speaker at international conferences, including COP22 Marrakech and IOC technical workshops, he has shared strategies for climate change mitigation and sustainable agricultural development.

The IPA | AIP Community Leadership Award will be formally presented to Mr. Serafini at the Peace Ambassadors Awards Gala & Grand Ball, the culminating event of the 2025 International Peace Festival, on September 26, 2025, at the King Edward Hotel in Toronto, Canada.

Mr. Serafini’s work with The Garden of Peace and his lifelong commitment to biodiversity conservation and community resilience stand as a testament to the power of science, empathy, and collective action in shaping a peaceful, sustainable, and compassionate world.