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In memoriam: Ermanno Zanini

14.02.2017

It is with great sadness that we report the passing of Professor Ermanno Zanini on 9 February 2017 in Turin, Italy at the age of 71. A professor of Soil Science at the University of Turin from 1990 to November 2015, Zanini was not only the founder of the Mountain Partnership’s International Programme on Research and Training on Sustainable Management of Mountain Areas (IPROMO) but also its heart and driving force.

Since the first edition of the course in 2008, Zanini served as the Scientific Director of IPROMO, and since 2015 – having officially retired from the University of Turin – he still attended the course and assisted in its organizing. During his time as Scientific Director and IPROMO professor, he touched the lives of about 300 students and researchers in the field of sustainable mountain development from around the world. When he passed, Zanini still held the role of President of the University of Turin’s Research Centre on Natural Hazards in Mountainous and Hilly Environments.

Those who were fortunate to have met and worked with Zanini recall his dedication to education. Rosalaura Romeo, Programme Officer of the Mountain Partnership Secretariat, said, “He has meant so much for so many of us, and we all have joyful and vivid memories of his caring and energetic personality. May his soul rest in peace.”

Following his passing, several IPROMO alumni wrote to the Mountain Partnership Secretariat to share their condolences for Zanini. We share some of their messages here:

“Ermanno Zanini was such a great person, kind and respectable. He will live in our memories forever all around the world. I am pleased to have had the opportunity to meet him again at the last IPROMO.”

”Thank you, Ermanno, for your contribution to scientific and cultural exchange between our countries.”

“Very sad news, we will remember him and his hard work to make these courses a total success.”

“I remember Professor Zanini as a kind, intelligent and wise person. He was like the father of our course. It is a great loss for the IPROMO family. My deepest condolences to his family and the whole IPROMO network.”

The Mountain Partnership Secretariat extends its heartfelt condolences to his family and colleagues, noting the loss of an educator of mountains.

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Photo: FAO/Mountain Partnership