Reading about the life of the ex-Uruguayan president, Jose ‘Pepe’ Mujica, over the last few days, it’s clear that the contrast between his leadership style and that of most other national leaders has only grown since he stepped down 10 years ago.
Throughout his presidency he continued to live on his smallholding and drive himself to work in his own, old, VW Beetle and donated 90% of his salary to charity. Nonetheless it’s important to acknowledge his full story. Although he is known for his fight against the military dictatorship in the 70s and 80s, his guerrilla action predated the dictatorship and destabilised the democratic government and contributed to the 1973 Coup.
Yet from this background he became a respected global leader, who remained above the corruption and helped his country remain on a path of stability and social progress often while many other Latin American countries were in turmoil. So, what can we learn from Pepe about being a leader for peace?
- He had an unwavering commitment to equality, but was pragmatic enough to adapt to the context.
- He understood that as a leader he was serving his people, not the other way round. He did not cling to power for powers sake.
- He led by example.
Mujica was able to push his socially progressive agenda; strengthening trade unions, legalising abortion and same-sex marriage and significantly raising the minimum wage. In other areas he was forced to compromise, not delivering on promises relating to education and housing.
He pushed the plan that has led to renewables contributing 95% of the country’s electricity, and the country has some of the most advanced legislation on limiting plastic pollution’s sustainability linked sovereign bond. Uruguay, a country of 3 million people is recognised as an environmental leader globally, having spearheaded UNEP’s Montevideo Environmental Law Programme.
It’s almost like Mujica understood that his own wellbeing relied on the wellbeing of his community, his country, and the global environment. But maybe not just understood but internalised, as he very practically put the wellbeing of others on a par with his own, knowing it would actually be good for him.
With public finances stretched around the world we increasingly hear sharp-suited politicians selling austerity measures with the message that ‘we’re all in it together’. If this message was coming from someone who was giving away what they didn’t need it might be easier to actually believe them.