12-year-old Michelle is one of the youngest Mayors in Italy. “A voice for us” was the political slogan for her’s second electoral campaign. An Italian Parliament law set up the participation of children in political bodies in 1997 with the Children’s Municipal Councils. Michelle was elected Deputy Mayor two years ago at the age of 10 in Castel San Pietro Terme, one of only 151 municipalities (1%), which have such a democratic group.Michelle and her friends are the citizens of tomorrow.From a very young age, they dream they can make the world a better place to live in the future.
Isabella Franceschini is an Italian freelance photographer, contributor for Parallelozero photojournalism agency and Lowepro Ambassador. After a degree in Economics she attended a one-year masterclass of photojournalism in Rome. Isabella is currently developing long-term projects primarily inspired by what influences human beings and their relationships as well as issues related to environment sustainability. She has contributed to a Telethon Foundation Campaign about rare genetic diseas. Her projects have been featured in The Washington Post, Der Spiegel, l'Espresso, MarieClaire, Vanity F.
Awards Isabella has received multiple awards such as World Report Award Documenting Humanity in 2022, 21st Julia Margaret Cameron Award in 2023, ZEKE Award 2024, ISPA Award in 2023 among other.
