A prize deserving attention
The Right Livelihood Award was presented in the Swedish Parliament on December 7th, 2007. It is generally referred to as the "Alternative Nobel Prize" - probably a source of annoyance for some. During the Nobel celebrations, my thoughts went to Right Livelihood Award recipients Percy and Louise Schmeiser, an elderly farming couple from Canada. For ten years they have fought the highly aggressive marketing methods of the American multinational seed company Monsanto. In short Monsanto maintains that the couple used the company's patented canola seed in their fields. They demanded a huge claim for damages if the couple did not sign an agreement with the company. This would have been the end of a struggle spanning generations to develop seeds free from gene manipulation. Percy and Louise Schmeiser considered themselves the victims of blackmail. Once again we witness a struggle between David and Goliath.
The other recipients also fill me with great respect and awe. Dekha Ibrahim Abdi from Kenya is a global peace maker. Judge Christopher Weeramantry, Sri Lanka, has worked for the rule of international law during his long professional career. Dipal Barua has introduced green electricity to the villages of Bangladesh. After a period of rapid expansion, one million poor people in rural areas now have electric power via solar cells. In year 2015, an estimated 20 million people should have access to solar energy.
The "Right Livelihood" concept is that everyone takes responsibility for the consequences of their actions and that no-one uses more than their share of the earth's resources. The Foundation is non-political and has no religious affiliations. The founder of the award is Jakob von Uexkull.
He suggested that the Nobel Foundation should introduce two new Nobel Prizes that would support work for the environment and for poverty alleviation in the world. The Nobel Foundation rejected the suggestion.
The Right Livelihood Award has been presented since 1980 and many recipients have worked for peace and human rights. The award recipients share a total of SEK 2 million between them.
Sweden's Channel 4 has taken over the TV coverage of the Nobel celebrations, a total of 18 hours' viewing time. Channel 4 is owned by the media group Bonniers who, in turn, accept sponsoring for the coverage of the event by Ericsson and Volvo.
How many commercial breaks will there be time for? That is the main concern by those who buy advertising time.
The Right Livelihood Award recipients are of no interest to the advertisers. They do not need to have their ceremony interrupted by advertising. As usual, they came to Sweden, received their prizes and returned home without major media coverage.
The greatest and most praiseworthy efforts in the service of humanity are performed in the low-profile, day-to-day work. However, attending the lunch with the laureates on December 7th was a certain cultural editor from the Dala-Demokraten newspaper.
Ulf Lundén, Dala-Demokraten, December 10th, 2007.
Translation by Kerstin Bennett, Right Livelihood Award Foundation.
