As a sociologist, I both study and dream of a world in which all lives are based on empathy. Empathy allows us to connect with people near and far. It can help us turn hatred and fear into compassion, and encourages us to face suffering. The world would be a place where there is less human suffering—physically, psychologically, and emotionally.
When I was 5 years old, my family and I returned to Montevideo after the holidays, and I saw a child submerged in the garbage looking for food. I broke down in tears. I was shocked because I had just gotten back from a fishing town 300 kilometers from Montevideo, where life was peaceful with plenty of fish to eat from the sea. My father hugged me. This experience left a significant mark on my life. How can it be that there are people who go hungry? This continues to be one of the driving forces of my personal development.
In Uruguay, we have worked a lot to eradicate hunger, a major challenge facing all of humanity. But our population, particularly poor children, suffer from malnutrition. The commercialization of food has put processing and distribution in the hands of markets that seek to maximize profits for the few. This creates a gap in consumers’ purchasing power between those who can afford food and those who cannot.
Our country has a widespread custom of sharing yerba mate with friends, family, work colleagues, and even strangers. In the realm of food, we should also stop for a moment and restore our relationship of sharing our blessings. To survive together, we need to create a world where education based on empathy, compassion, and care leads to food equality. A place where people can feel the joy of living and savor the taste of joy!
Uruguay 