The foreign ministers Genscher and Andreotti sign Villa Vigoni’s articles of association, 1986
Villa Vigoni is a recognised association under private law, registered in Germany in 1987 and in Italy the following year. It therefore has two headquarters, one in Bonn (Amtsgericht Bonn, Vereinsregisternummer 5422) and one in Loveno di Menaggio (Prefettura di Como, R.P.G. n. 155) , illustrating its bilateral nature. On the German side it is recognised by the Ministry for Education and Research (BMBF), while on the Italian side, Villa Vigoni is recognised by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI).
The articles of association place the members into two categories: members by right and ordinary members.
The German members by right are the Federal Minister for Education and Research, the Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs, the representative of the Federal Government Office for Culture and Media, the German Ambassador in Italy and a member of the Deutscher Bundestag Italian-German Parliamentary Group.
The Italian members by right are the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Ministry for Education, Universities and Research, the Ministry for Cultural Heritage and Activities and Tourism, the Italian Ambassador in Germany and a member of the Italian Parliament Italian-German Parliamentary Group.
The ordinary members are natural and legal persons of particular importance in the fields of research – like the “Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft” and the “Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche” – science, education, the economy, politics, journalism and culture, who have made a significant contribution to promoting relations between the two countries.
The Members’ General Assembly is responsible for electing two Presidents, one German and one Italian, who represent it on a honorary basis. It also elects a Secretary General, who acts as its director and legal representative, entrusted with organising and coordinating activities following the guidelines established by the Assembly itself.
The Board of Trustees, which comprises the members by right in addition to other non-permanent members, has the task of supporting and advising the association’s activities.
Amb. Dr. Susanne Wasum-Rainer
(since 2021)
Amb. Michele Valensise
(since 2017)
Dr. Christiane Liermann Traniello
(since 2018)
The Board of Trustees, which comprises the members by right in addition to other non-permanent members, has the task to support and advice the association’s activities.
In addition to those already mentioned, the members include university and research institutions, various associations and foundations, as well as numerous individuals.