Stockholm. This year’s alternative Nobel Prize is awarded to three personalities and an organization who encourage others to fight for human rights and the environment. This time the prize goes to Cameroonian lawyer Marthe Vandau, Russian environmentalist Vladimir Slivjak, Canadian campaigner for indigenous people’s rights Freda Heusen and India-based Forest and Environment (Life) Legal Initiative. It was announced by the Right Livelihood Foundation, which presents the award on Wednesdays in Stockholm every year.
Foundation director Ole von Uexkul said the awardees successfully campaigned for a better future with the targeted organization. They were all fearless activists who showed what grassroots movements can do.
The Foundation’s award, which has been awarded since 1980, is officially called the Right Livelihood Award, but is more commonly referred to as the alternative Nobel Prize. The Right Livelihood Foundation honors champions for human rights, the environment and peace each year. The prize is a significant distance from the actual Nobel Prizes, whose winners will be announced on Monday in Stockholm and Oslo.
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