Josué de Castro

Josué de Castro (September 5, 1908 – September 24, 1973) was a Brazilian physician, geographer, and social scientist who became one of the world's leading experts on hunger and malnutrition. Born in Recife, he dedicated his life to understanding and combating the social and economic causes of hunger, particularly in developing nations. Castro founded the International Institute for Food and Nutrition and served as President of the United Nations Association for Food and Agriculture. His groundbreaking work documented how hunger was not merely a biological problem but a consequence of social inequality, poverty, and exploitative economic systems. His book "Geography of Hunger" (1946) remains a seminal work in development studies and social science. Despite his humanitarian contributions, Castro faced political persecution due to his progressive views and eventually went into exile. His legacy transformed how the world understands food security, emphasizing that adequate nutrition is a fundamental human right. Castro's work influenced international policy on hunger and remains foundational to contemporary discussions of global food justice.