What is it that holds us together? What is it that holds us together in a crisis like the one we’re facing now? Werner Lampert on social cohesion, the opportunities presented by the COVID-19 crisis, and the value of regional agriculture.
Trust develops within a harmonious sense of connection. Trust in ourselves, trust in one another—and this helps us lead a meaningful life. In this environment, we experience respect and esteem. The feeling of being accepted allows us to grow—in our humanity. The capacity for friendship, for love of neighbor, and for loyalty develops in such an atmosphere.
I thought it would take many more generations before we could achieve a cooperative economic system based on radical solidarity.
But crises can spur progress and address pressing needs. Today, we know—and we see every day—just how important farmers and their work are to us. Today, we see the damage that would result if we were to lose sight of food sovereignty in the midst of globalization. Local agriculture continues to provide for us even when the economy collapses and borders are closed. Every day, farmers go to their barns and fields and look after us.
And when Ceres bestowed the *Cultura agri* upon us humans in ancient times, the goddess also taught us the *Cultura animi*, which enables us to think and act with our hearts. In this way, we learned to form friendships, nurture relationships, be considerate of one another, and support one another, as well as to understand and respect the needs of others. With this support, we were able to cope with our fears.
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Every day, we see just how much we need one another. Just how much society needs each and every one of us. Because only by working together will we be able to meet the challenges ahead.
And only if local farmers stand up for us will we have a future.
We should never forget this and must look out for one another in the future. Only a community based on radical solidarity will be able to overcome the challenges that lie ahead.
What binds us together as a society is freedom—the freedom of each individual to act in the common good, the freedom to share.
It is only through a deep sense of connection and mutual understanding that we become people capable of overcoming any crisis, any task, and any challenge.
Let's start right away with our neighbors!
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About Werner Lampert
Werner Lampert (born in 1946 in Vorarlberg, Austria) is considered one of the pioneers in the field of sustainable products and their development in Europe. This organic pioneer has been deeply involved in organic farming since the 1970s. With Back to the beginning (Hofer) and Ja! Natürlich—he developed two of the most successful organic brands in the German-speaking world.
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