The World's Poorest President Speaks Out

Have you heard about former president of Uruguay, Jose Mujica? If you haven't, I urge you to find out about him. He is known as the “world's poorest president” because while president he donated almost all of his salary to the poor.

This picture book is the text of his speech to the United Nations in 2012. Listen to a bit of it: “Now, let us ask: What is the future for humanity? What path should we take? As leaders we have come together, united in spirit, to talk about our future. We all know that things cannot go on as they are. Something must change!”

In his speech, Jose Mujica asks hard questions, important questions, and he offers examples from his own country as ways to make things better.

This book was originally published in Japan where Mujica is considered a folk hero.