The American University of Rome marks with sadness the passing of Carlo Petrini, founder of the international Slow Food movement and recipient of AUR's honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters honoris causa.
A journalist, writer, and internationally respected activist, Petrini founded Slow Food in 1986 in deliberate and principled opposition to the arrival of fast-food culture in Italy. What began as a local act of cultural resistance grew into a global movement active in more than 160 countries, promoting food that is good, clean, and fair: delicious, sustainably sourced, and ethically produced.
Petrini also founded the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Pollenzo in 2004, the first institution of its kind in the world, and served as international president of Slow Food until 2022.
His work held particular resonance for AUR through the University’s commitment to food studies, sustainability, cultural heritage, and experiential learning. When AUR conferred its highest honor on Petrini in 2023, President Scott Sprenger cited three reasons for the recognition: Petrini’s humanistic philosophy dedicated to preserving local identities and cultures; his writing and activism, which inspired students to look beyond self-interest toward the common good; and his transformative understanding of the relationship between people, food, and society.
Reflecting on Petrini’s passing, President Sprenger stated: “Carlo Petrini was one of those rare individuals whose ideas transformed how people think about food, culture, and community. It was a privilege to honor him at AUR and to celebrate a life dedicated to making the world more thoughtful, sustainable, and humane.”
The American University of Rome extends its sincere condolences to Petrini’s family, colleagues, and to the global Slow Food community. We are grateful to have honored him among our own and will remember him as a man whose life and work enriched communities around the world.