Joaquim Moura grew up as a baby boomer around Copacabana (Rio de Janeiro) which is one of the most dense neighbourhoods in the world. In the post-world war era many new and alternative waves of cultural and philosophical trends were popping up and getting popular around the world. Besides philosophy, yoga and mindfulness practices, alternative nutrition trends were also spreading.
Zen macrobiotics originated from Japan was one of the food related philosophies that were spreading in Brazil in the 1960’s and 70’s. The essence of this philosophy is to see food on an energetic level.
Different kinds of foods can be yin or yang and we have to bring them in balance with each other in our meals. The other aspects of seeing food from an energetic point of view was that Zen macrobiotics promoted to eat locally produced fresh food. The reason behind this idea was to maintain balance and connection with the nutrients and energy sources in our direct environment. The idea of YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT is also coming from these times.
These ideas among many others were influencing Joaquim from a relatively young age. As a student of economics, he started to work for the Brazilian Central Bank at the economics department but soon figured out that the curriculum and mainstream discussions of economics often neglect the social and environmental aspects of economic growth. This realization made him change his studies from economics to design. Joaquim started to see the failures and challenges in our world as design challenges.
After leaving the economic department he started to work at the Bank’s museum of numismatics, and designed books and exhibitions. While laying out the Bank’s house organs, he was able to showcase articles about microcredit, local currency, exercises against the stress and things he had seen as real solutions to the problems. During these years his interest towards agriculture, food and urban agriculture grew enormously and he also experienced farming and rural life for a couple of years.
Following his retirement in 1999 Joaquim dedicated his time to learn more and teach about urban agriculture. Since this time Joaquim translated all the 34 editions of Urban Agriculture Magazine to Portuguese. With this he made these ideas available for the Brazilian and Portuguese urban agriculture communities.
His current projects are focusing on youth as they have a key role in shaping our future. He is creating groups of socio-environmental practices in several schools and promoting their networking via internet. In these groups students learn how to organize themselves and create value for their community while acquiring essential skills that will benefit them during their entire life. They start with composting because the residuals, the students and teachers are always there in every school.
And in the end, the potential of this methodology is not about the money but the organization. Throughout the learning process of socio environmental practices students learn about what are real long lasting values in life. They get inspired to search for excellence and to find happiness in the work they do. Fulfillment will come from serving others and nature properly with dedication.
The priority Joaquim gives to networking – among students and UA practitioners and researchers worldwide – comes from his belief that creating synergies and integrating our “complementarities” will prove to be decisive to achieve our common objectives.
Useful links:
Wachama's website
https://www.wachama.org/
Wachama's Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/wachamatribe/
Full episode on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/qL2Rgf5W89Y
Zen Macrobiotic diet:
https://dieteticallyspeaking.com/the-zen-macrobiotic-diet/
Links shared by Joaquim:
Group of Practices for composting and youth development
http://amigosdemaua.net/projetos/GT-CONAPAM/bocaina/grupo_bocaina_minas_eng.html
