1. What is the smallest change you have made in your career that has had the biggest positive result?
I would prefer to talk about a small change I made in my life, rather than in my career. When I was 17, I decided to stop eating animals. This is such a simple thing to do, yet it has enormous consequences for our planet, in terms of resources and consumption, and water, air and land pollution. In a world that is too often heavily profit-oriented and globalised, I believe conscious eating is part of the solution to rediscover a new balance between man and nature.
2. What was the most inspirational and influential book you have read, and why?
A book I read during my university studies in service design, called "Natural Capitalism, Creating the Next Industrial Revolution" and written by Paul Hawken and Amory and Hunter Lovins, followed by "Cradle to cradle, remaking the way we make things", by Michael McDonough and William Braungart. Both books deeply changed my idea of good design, as the design that finds solutions for people needs, strongly taking into account the environmental, social and collaborative dimension. And this has a lot to do with policymaking.
3. What one item would you save from your home in case of a fire?
First and foremost, my three cats. I would then make sure I was wearing the ring my grandmother gave me, which I am particularly attached to.
4. Is there anything you have personally achieved or done that would surprise people?
Being elected as MEP with the Five Star Movement. In 2010 I was an activist in a small bottom-up and revolutionary political movement that believes in direct democracy, participation, transparency, fighting corruption and inequalities as priorities. No one in Italy could have imagined we
5. What do you do in your free time to relax and unwind?
I go running, watch movies, DIY and I spend time with family, friends and cats.
Want more 5Qs? Get to know Madi Sharma.