2023 Right Livelihood Laureates shine a light on suffering to safeguard lives and nature

STOCKHOLM – Bearing witness to untold suffering, the 2023 Right Livelihood Laureates stand up to save lives, preserve nature and safeguard the dignity and livelihoods of communities around the world.

They face off against social taboos around abortion in African countries, Cambodia’s authoritarian regime and corrupt businesses, a growing humanitarian crisis in the Mediterranean Sea, and unsafe industrial practices in Kenya to demand a liveable future for all.

The 2023 Right Livelihood Award goes to:

Eunice Brookman-Amissah from Ghana “for pioneering discussions on women’s reproductive rights in Africa, paving the way for liberalised abortion laws and improved safe abortion access” (Honorary),

Mother Nature Cambodia “for their fearless and engaging activism to preserve Cambodia’s natural environment in the context of a highly restricted democratic space,”

SOS MEDITERRANEE “for its life-saving humanitarian search and rescue operations in the Mediterranean Sea,” and

Phyllis Omido from Kenya “for her groundbreaking struggle to secure land and environmental rights for local communities while advancing the field of environmental law.”

“The 2023 Right Livelihood Laureates fight for people’s right to health, safety, a clean environment and democracy,” said Ole von Uexkull, Executive Director at Right Livelihood. “These Laureates take a stance to have a say in the affairs of their communities and those affected by harmful and corrupt policies. They care for their land and each human life connected to it: be it Indigenous communities or people risking their lives to get to safety.”

Brookman-Amissah and Mother Nature Cambodia are the first Laureates from Ghana and Cambodia respectively to receive the Right Livelihood Award.

Besides being available for one-on-one interviews, the Laureates will hold consecutive online press conferences on the day of the Announcement starting at 09:30 am CEST. Register for the press conferences here.

  • 09:30 – 10:00 am CEST: Mother Nature Cambodia
  • 10:30 – 11:00 am CEST: SOS MEDITERRANEE
  • 11:30 am – 12:00 pm CEST: Phyllis Omido
  • 13:00 – 13:30 CEST: Eunice Brookman-Amissah

For over 40 years, the Right Livelihood Award has honoured and supported courageous people solving global problems. The award comes with long-term support to highlight and expand Laureates’ work.

In 2023, 170 nominees from 68 countries were considered. Previous Laureates include Ukrainian human rights defender Oleksandra Matviichuk, Congolese gynaecologist and women’s rights advocate Dr Denis Mukwege and Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg.

The 2023 Laureates will be honoured during a televised Award Presentation in Stockholm on Wednesday, November 29.

Find more information on the Laureates here.

Photos and videos of the new Laureates can be found here.

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About Right Livelihood

For over 40 years, Right Livelihood has honoured and supported courageous people solving global problems. Housed under the umbrella of a foundation, Right Livelihood is a courage-powered community for social change committed to peace, justice and sustainability for all.

Each year, Right Livelihood highlights change-makers through an Award. To date, 194 Laureates from 76 countries have received the distinction. By recognising the actions of brave visionaries and building impactful connections around the world, Right Livelihood boosts urgent and long-term social change.

The Award was founded in 1980 following the Nobel Foundation’s rejection of a proposal to create two new prizes to honour individuals committed to advancing social justice and environmental causes, especially highlighting change-makers from the Global South.

Today, the work of Right Livelihood goes beyond presenting the Award: the Foundation provides Laureates with life-long support. Right Livelihood is a megaphone and a shield: raising their profile, providing protection when their lives and liberty are in danger, and educating people on their innovative solutions.

Right Livelihood is headquartered in Stockholm, with an office in Geneva. The Foundation has Consultative Status with the UN.