“Cruelty toward animals is a more significant condition of human numbness of conscience. And it applies not only to other animals but also to human animals. When humans treat other animals with cruelty, it dehumanizes us, and we start rationalizing violence. And once we start justifying unnecessary harm, we often rationalize it the same way we treat other human beings. Rationalizing violence dampens our empathy, compassion, and interest in our ability to look at others and understand how our actions may be causing them harm and suffering.”
HUMAN APATHY AND CRUELTY
Gene Baur, USA
“Women who have not only survived violation
but have taken that pain and transformed it into leadership and action are leaders.”
TAINA BIEN AIMÈ
Executive Director, CATW, USA
“Every aspect of gardening is challenging,
but I like to garden. Gardening is not just for others
—I must appreciate what I do.”
FRANCESCO
Gardener, USA
“Asphalt is toxic. The chemicals that are mixed in asphalt can be harmful if you inhale asphalt fumes for extended periods.”
KENNY
Asphalt paver, USA
“The real joy is touching the essence of what it is to be a human being, to exist. To have the gift of life and the gift of music is fantastic.”
DR CLIVE ROBBINS (1927 – 2011)
Founder, Nordoff-Robbins Centre, USA
“Power is not something external; it’s internal.
And the desire to help comes from your inbuilt value system.“
DR KIRAN BEDI, IPS
Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry, IN
“We have to move beyond the emotional response
to become change makers who can articulate
from a very high standard.”
DANA TAI SOON BURGESS
American dancer and choreographer, USA
“The presentation is essential. When you buy my pottery, you also take the environment and the exchange you have with me, the artist.”
ANNE LOUISE MARGERIT
Ceramist, FR
“What is important is I am doing what I like. Shoes are essential; they protect your feet and help you walk. I want
to make shoes from the point of view of an artisan.”
LEONARDO
Artisan cobbler, IT
“You are as powerful as you feel, as powerful as the risks you take
and as powerful as the sacrifice you make.“
SWATI MALIWAL
Chairperson, Delhi Commision for Women, IN
“Evil is the absence of good. If a person wants to do evil actions, God lets them. If a person wants to be good, God bestows them with grace.”
ABBÈ BENOÎT LAURENT
Priest, FR
“ISIS manipulates young children—they brainwash children by distorting the words of the Quran, grooming children to use weapons and partake in Jihad [Holy War].”
NAJIBULLAH QURAISHI
Journalist and filmmaker, UK
“People try to show you that they are better. Life doesn’t work that way. Everybody has their responsibility; we live together. If I am not here, you won’t be here.”
MASTI
Construction inspector, USA
“Outrage is essential to fight injustice. If I find injustice
and I can do something to change it, I must do it.“
IANA MATEI
Founder, Reaching Out Romania, RO
“I like to do my job the best I can, and I feel good
when the people I work for say:
“You did a very good job.””
JOSE
Painter, USA
“Every morning, I wake up positive: “Keep going, Stella, keep going. Today is another day.” If I can do it, anyone can do it.”
STELLA
Cleanliness custodian, USA
“I am single and am happy to be single. I hope and dream of being a better singer and a better woman. And I want to stay in peace with my family.”
CHIARA MANESE
Mezzo-Soprano, IT
“Till the time we keep silent about the violence against us
instead of speaking up, there will be no resolution.“
ASHA DEVI
Late Nirbhaya’s mother, IN
“The dairy development industry hires armies of para-vets, who end up puncturing the cows uteruses, which causes internal bleeding. The cows die within 10 to 15 days; no one is held accountable. Artificial insemination [AI] is extremely traumatising for cows (she has to be restrained); it’s as traumatising as it would be for a woman if a hand were shoved up her vagina.”
TRAUMATISING HEIFERS AND COWS
Gauri Maulekhi. IN
“Stripping Edith’s personality made her believe she couldn’t live without them;
this is manipulation by people who enslave others.“
BERNADETT TUZA-RITTER
Independent filmmaker, HU
“Cast away our feelings of insecurity and of obscurity that feeds into our exaggerated superiority.”
CAST AWAY
Without resourses to feel, think and act
“When you know yourself, you go around the world and are one piece of a chain, and you learn to respect nature, eat healthily, and live well instead of buying things and gossip papers.”
GUIDO MARTINETTI
Organic farmer & Entrepreneur, IT
“Thank you a lot. No one told me good things before. I am sure others notice but have never expressed. More of us can ask ourselves: “What is life?””
LUIS
Landscaper, USA
“Men call her Lakshmi, Parvati and Saraswati only in temples.
When it’s a real woman, real person, she is insulted.“
DR MOHINI GIRI (1938 – 2023)
Social Activist, IN
“What is important is discipline and routine. The more regular and methodic you are, the more it works. I focus
on things I need to expand—speed, sound, etc.”
CHRISTOPHE LELOIL
Trumpeter and teacher, FR
“Once you’ve focused on what you want, you must concentrate on the goodness of your choice and go for it.”
MASSIMO TIZZANO
Classical figurative painter, IT
“I will tell the younger generation to maintain beauty and, if possible, to keep plants in their homes and balconies.”
ANIL SINGH
Conservatory gardener, IN
“The most important reason [for attacks against women] is the end of a patriarchal society,
and we are seeing men afraid of losing their power.“
LORELLA ZANARDO
Filmmaker and Lecturer, IT
“The most important thing we give children is love. When children present their barriers, it’s up to us to understand.”
AKBAR COOK
Principal, West Side High School, USA
“We were a poor family and couldn’t go for a holiday; the owner’s mother would take me with her family to the sea.”
ALESSIA
Bar manager, IT
“For sites to look attractive, it is important to be thorough and work in a way that is not disturbing to others.”
ALFRED
Landscape caretaker, USA
“When your internal locus is secure and you know your identity,
you will not be shaken by what is happening around you.“
NATSU NAGAE
Music therapist, JP
“I am very passionate about cows, and to shed light on the dairy industry is crucial. We don’t realise that it’s incorrect when we say: “I am a vegetarian, and I am not killing any animals.” A lot of people who consume dairy will be appalled entirely by veal farming, where calves are taken away from their mothers, put in crates, and killed. The fact is that the veal industry exists because the dairy industry exists.”
MALE CALVES AND VEAL MEAT
Jo-Anne McArthur, CA
“Every time a woman speaks, they will attempt to put theories
on why she is doing it; they will claim it’s for publicity.“
D ROOPA MOUDGIL, IPS
IGP (Home Guards & Civil Defence), IN
“Girls whose mothers have sexually abused them have severe mental health issues. One has borderline personality disorder.“
ROBIN CHAURASIYA
Founder, Kranti School, IN
“You have to get it out of your head what your friends and family will think when they see you playing for money.”
WILLIAM
Busker, USA
“You can’t turn back your age, but you have the power to turn around other aspects of your life for the positive.”
MARIA GUIDA
Artist, IT
“If you have gone through suffering,
you understand kindness, love and respect much more than if you don’t.“
RADHIKA COOMARASWAMY
Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations
“It takes a lot of passion for the product and love for our culinary tradition and the ability to convey it to people”
ROSSELLA BUONAMICI
Pasticceria owner, IT
“We deal with different personalities and nationalities and do our best to protect everyone. We want to be appreciated.”
DIAMOND
Museum guard, USA
“A woman should follow her heart
and not listen to the noise around her, as she cannot embark on her path.“
DR PRIYADARSHINI GOVIND
Veterinary surgeon, IN
“My parents and relatives let me be free to study and work, which I started at fourteen.”
LUCA RAFANELLI
Artist, artisan & antique dealer, IT
“I want people to have respect for each other. We don’t have that much time here [in life]. My religion is respecting people, being kind, and doing the right thing.”
SHAWN
Courier, USA
“We are all human beings and want to be loved and respected. Colour, race, these things don’t mean anything. What is in your heart counts and how you treat others.”
LINDA
Crossing guard, USA
“We have been brainwashed to choose uniformity
partly because a militarised mind thinks in terms of uniformity.“
DR VANDANA SHIVA
Environmental activist and physicist, IN
“I want my illustrations to evoke the sweetness
and pleasure I feel while creating.“
JOSIANE LAUTREDOU
Illustrator, FR
“SiLeo is the combination of Simone e Leonardo; in the old Latin language, it means to stay silent and contemplative.”
SIMONE ABRAM
Organic Vintner, IT
“I started accompanying singers at 18, and my work with singers is straightforward as I hear with my heart.”
MAESTRO DIEGO FIORNI
Pianoforte, IT
“You can get the happiest family living in poverty,
but they have an emotional richness that carries them through life.“
KATE BLEWETT
Documentary filmmaker, UK
“Resiliency is another quality that comes to mind with the individuals I have filmed and profiled. They [animal individuals] have been through so much, yet they are still willing to trust. And still willing to be alive despite some terrible acts of human violence. Some laboratory chimps are a great example; they pick up their lives where they left off and can thrive again.”
ANIMAL RESILIENCY
Allison Argo, USA
