They rely on clear words instead of violence: activists and organizations from the West Bank, Mozambique, Great Britain and the Philippines will receive the Alternative Nobel Prizes this year.
Activists and organizations from four regions of the world will be honored with the Right Livelihood Award for their nonviolent commitment to justice and truth. This year’s prize, commonly known as the Alternative Nobel Prize, goes to indigenous activist Joan Carling from the Philippines, Palestinian human rights activist Issa Amro and the activist group he founded, Youth Against Settlements, environmental activist Anabela Lemos and her organization Justica Ambiental from Mozambique, and the British Forensic Architecture research project. This was announced by the director of the Right Livelihood Foundation, Ole von Uexküll, in Stockholm.
“The 2024 award winners show what non-violent resistance and truth-telling can achieve,” praised von Uexküll. “In the face of violence, exploitation and oppression in the world, this year’s honorees show paths to a just, peaceful and sustainable future. Their commitment should inspire us all to be braver.”
The winners of the Right Livelihood Award are announced every year shortly before the Nobel Prize winners, who will be chosen starting Monday in Stockholm and Oslo. Over the years, the nickname “Alternative Nobel Prize” has become commonplace for the award, even if the award is at a critical distance from the actual Nobel Prizes. This year, 176 nominees from 72 countries were considered.
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Since 1980, world-famous personalities such as the Swedish children’s book author Astrid Lindgren, US whistleblower Edward Snowden and the Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg have received the award. Some laureates, such as Kenyan environmentalist Wangari Maathai, Congolese doctor Denis Mukwege and imprisoned Belarusian human rights lawyer Ales Byaljazki, were also honored with the Nobel Peace Prize years after their Right Livelihood award.
However, the Right Livelihood Award mostly goes to people and organizations who, far away from the international public, are committed to a fairer, more peaceful and more sustainable world. This is also the case this time: without being known to a broader international audience, this year’s winners fight against oppression and exploitation in their local communities without resorting to violent methods.
The prize foundation acknowledged that their unwavering commitment had an impact far beyond the local level. While there was war and violence in many parts of the world, the laureates showed that progress can only be made through peaceful means, strengthening local alliances and a steadfast commitment to the truth. “Their work makes them important bearers of hope and role models in these challenging times.”
Clear words instead of violence
As is so often the case, the award winners represent a mixture of courageous people who are committed to the rights of original populations, to peace and justice, and to protecting the climate and the environment. Filipino Joan Carling receives the award for amplifying indigenous voices in the face of the global ecological crisis and leading the way in defense of people, land and culture.
Anabela Lemos and Justica Ambiental are making a very similar commitment in Mozambique, where with their help communities can stand up for their right to say no to large-scale exploitative projects and demand ecological justice. Forensic Architecture has pioneered the development of digital forensic methods that help victims and survivors of human and environmental rights abuses seek justice and accountability, according to the award foundation.
Issa Amro and his activist group Youth Against Settlements are being honored for their nonviolent resistance to the Israeli occupation in Hebron in the West Bank. They also receive the prize for promoting the civil engagement of Palestinians through peaceful means.
The winners will be honored at an awards ceremony in Stockholm on December 4th. The award comes with, among other things, lifelong support from the Right Livelihood Foundation, which has honored almost 200 award winners from 77 countries to date.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
