Right Livelihood Award

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Right Livelihood Award

The Right Livelihood Award is an international award that honors and supports those offering practical and exemplary answers to the most urgent challenges facing the world today. It was established in 1980 by Jakob von Uexkull, a Swedish-German philanthropist, writer, and former member of the European Parliament. The award is often referred to as the "Alternative Nobel Prize."

History[edit | edit source]

The Right Livelihood Award was created as a response to the perceived limitations of the Nobel Prizes, which von Uexkull felt did not adequately recognize the efforts of those working on issues such as environmental sustainability, human rights, and social justice. The first awards were presented in 1980, and since then, the award has been given annually.

Selection Process[edit | edit source]

The selection process for the Right Livelihood Award involves a nomination procedure open to the public. Nominations are reviewed by an international jury, which selects the laureates. The award is typically presented in December at a ceremony in Stockholm, Sweden.

Categories[edit | edit source]

Unlike the Nobel Prizes, the Right Livelihood Award does not have fixed categories. Instead, it recognizes a wide range of efforts in areas such as:

Laureates[edit | edit source]

The award has honored a diverse group of individuals and organizations from around the world. Some notable laureates include:

Wangari Maathai, a Kenyan environmental and political activist
Edward Snowden, an American whistleblower
Greta Thunberg, a Swedish environmental activist

Prize[edit | edit source]

The Right Livelihood Award does not come with a fixed monetary prize. Instead, the amount varies each year based on the financial situation of the Right Livelihood Award Foundation. The prize money is intended to support the laureates' ongoing work.