As we are craving to return to our paths, to recover what was lost and to put into practice the lessons that the pandemic left, many of us are trying hard to convince ourselves that the worst has passed. But, a feeling of grief is overtaking our desire to keep it in the closet of optimism.

Today, the biggest challenge is uncertainty, and it has reappeared just like it did in early 2020; amid debate and a scenario similar to the one occurring in that moment. Now, distancing myself from my dean title and the privilege of my education, I want to share with you that after going deeper into the world crisis; my thoughts go back to the origin, to the mothers of the leaders who govern a world full of violence, inequity, abuse and lack of opportunities. 

We are women, aunts, sisters, mothers, wives, grandmothers around a world that today  suffer the side effects of cortisol poisoning that, according to experts, like Spanish psychiatrist Marian Rojas Estape, is caused by stress. Fear of being aware that we are farther and farther from being inclusive, open to diversity, supportive of wellbeing, and of a just, loving, prosperous society. 

In my country, Colombia, and other Latin American countries, we woke up to news that could be part of the script of that same movie, where political egos would seem to leave us looking like cry-babies who will not let others play if they do play by our rules. Some days ago, caught-up by the world of platforms that lure us into not facing our boredom, I found a very good cartoon about this world that I would like to recommend. It is the film “Don´t Look Up”, where existential fears are commonplace, and any resemblance with reality is purely coincidental.

As a mother and citizen of the world, I call for reflection, for joining forces and being part of a better world that evolves; and not tolerating, as a society, violence, mistreatment, war, rapes. For not being part of a Dantesque caricature in which we can change the world, but for forgiving and getting over egos, leaving uncertainty and fear that paralyzes us aside, being the human shield that the world needs to protect our children and focusing on education, which is what our countries and humanity need to have a better society. 

(*) Doctor in Pedagogy. Dean of ECR (Colombian School of Rehabilitation). goe.rojas@ecr.edu.co