THE prestigious Right Livelihood Award, known as the ‘Alternative Nobel,’ has announced its 2023 laureates, recognising individuals and groups who have made exceptional contributions to the environment, human rights, and humanitarian causes.
This year’s recipients of the Right Livelihood Award, bestowed by the Right Livelihood Foundation, are passionate activists and organisations from different parts of the world. The foundation commended them for their tireless efforts to protect lives, conserve nature, and uphold the dignity and livelihoods of communities worldwide. These laureates are staunch advocates for people’s rights to health, safety, a clean environment, and democracy.
The 2023 Right Livelihood Award Laureates:
- Phyllis Omido (Kenya): Phyllis Omido, a grassroots environmental activist, has been recognised for her groundbreaking work in securing land and environmental rights for local communities. Her tireless efforts have advanced the field of environmental law, making a significant impact on her region.
- Mother Nature Cambodia: This advocacy group from Cambodia was honoured for its fearless and engaging activism aimed at preserving Cambodia’s natural environment, even in the face of challenges posed by a highly restricted democratic space.
- SOS Mediterranee: Operating in international waters north of Libya, SOS Mediterranee is a non-profit humanitarian organization specialising in life-saving search and rescue operations in the Mediterranean Sea. They have received recognition for their unwavering commitment to saving lives in perilous conditions.
Honorary Award Recipient:
- Eunice Brookman-Amissah (Ghana): Eunice Brookman-Amissah has been granted the honorary award for her pioneering efforts in initiating discussions on women’s reproductive rights in Africa. Her work has paved the way for more liberalised abortion laws and improved access to safe abortion procedures.
While the exact size of the cash prize shared by the laureates has not been disclosed for security reasons, the Right Livelihood Foundation emphasised that these remarkable individuals and organizations have demonstrated exceptional dedication to their respective causes. Ole von Uexkull, the head of the Stockholm-based foundation, expressed deep admiration for the awardees, emphasizing their commitment to protecting the environment, human rights, and the well-being of communities.
The Right Livelihood Award, established in 1980 by Swedish-German philanthropist Jakob von Uexkull, seeks to recognise efforts that may have been overlooked by the Nobel Prizes. To date, 190 laureates from 74 countries have received this prestigious award. The 2023 laureates will be officially honoured at an awards presentation ceremony in Stockholm on November 29, joining the ranks of previous winners who have made significant contributions to global progress and change.
Past recipients include human rights defenders, medical professionals, and environmental activists, including Ukrainian human rights defender Oleksandra Matviichuk, Congolese surgeon Denis Mukwege, and climate activist Greta Thunberg. Matviichuk and Mukwege received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2022 and 2018, respectively.
(with AP)