Sebastian Rocca

For the rapper, see Rocca (French rapper).

Sebastian Rocca
Rocca in London, 2018
Nationality	Italian
Education	MSc, Economics; MSc Poverty Reduction and Development Management
Alma mater	Bocconi University, University of Birmingham
Occupation(s)	Social entrepreneur, LGBTI activist
Known for	Founder & CEO of Micro Rainbow, human rights, LGBTI advocacy
Website	www.microrainbow.org

Sebastian Rocca is a social entrepreneur, coach, and LGBTQI rights activist. He is the founder and CEO of Micro Rainbow and the founding chair of the Micro Rainbow International Foundation. ^[1]

Rocca has been involved in the process of building scalable models for social change to advance LGBTQI rights. ^{[2] [3] [4]}

Education

Rocca holds a MSc in Economics (2003) from Bocconi University in Milan, Italy, and a MSc in Poverty Reduction and Development Management (2005) from the University of Birmingham in England. ^[5]

Career

Micro Rainbow

Founded in 2012, and headquartered in London, Micro Rainbow (MR) is a community interest company and not-for-profit social enterprise in the UK. ^{[6] [7] [8]}

International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex Association

From 2010 to 2012, Rocca served as Executive Director of the world federation of LGBTI organisations known as ILGA. ^[9] Under his leadership, ILGA re-obtained ECOSOC status at the United Nations, doubled its budget and membership, and opened a representation office in Geneva, Switzerland. ^[10]

In addition to managing projects in Latin America, Asia, and Africa, Rocca lobbied the UN, while working closely with government officials and grassroots organisations. ILGA was awarded a World Pride Award alongside United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at the 2012 WorldPride in London. ^[11]

UK Lesbian and Gay Immigration Group

Rocca was Executive Director of the UK Lesbian and Gay Immigration Group (now known as Rainbow Migration) from 2006 to 2009. ^{[12] [13]} During his directorship, UKLGIG was awarded the Black LGBT Community Award by UK Black Pride and Stonewall's Community Group of the Year in 2008. ^{[14] [15]}

References

1. "Poverty among gay people common but often ignored - campaigner". Reuters UK. Archived from the original on 6 February 2016. Retrieved 16 October 2015.
2. "Social Enterprise World Forum: 14 years of impact and growth". Social Enterprise World Forum. 5 August 2022. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
3. "Sebastian Rocca's fight against poverty within the LGBTQI+ community". Social Enterprise World Forum. 26 January 2022.
4. "Fleeing Afghanistan: Free To Be Me". BBC iPlayer.
5. "Social Enterprise World Forum 2015". SEWF. 1 July 2015.
6. "Bond for International Development". Bond.org.UK. 2013.
7. "CAN Mezzanine - Customer Spotlight – Micro Rainbow International". CAN Mezzanine. 5 March 2014.
8. "Sebastian BBC interview". BBC. 27 July 2022. Retrieved 26 April 2024– via YouTube.
9. "The Global Network for LGBTI Rights THE INTERNATIONAL LESBIAN GAY BISEXUAL TRANS AND INTERSEX ASSOCIATION 2010 Annual Report" (PDF). Retrieved 12 November 2020.
10. "ILGA Annual Report" (PDF). 2012.
11. Gray, Stephen (4 May 2012). "Hillary Clinton and ILGA to receive World Pride awards". Pink News (UK).
12. "Written evidence from Rainbow Migration [EAP0021]". UK Parliament. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
13. Forum, Mithani (27 June 2008). "Politics and showbiz unite to show support for gay asylum seekers". Pink News (UK).
14. Community (25 September 2008). "Awards celebrate contributions to black gay community". Pink News (UK).
15. Canning, Paul (14 December 2008). "UKLGIG wins Community Group of the Year award". LGBTI Asylum News.