A journalism grant scheme to promote impartial and high-quality reporting on the work of ‘Alternative Nobel’ Laureates
About
With shrinking media budgets around the world, many newsworthy stories on real solutions to global challenges are often missing out on being reported. More than 160 Laureates of the Right Livelihood Award, known as the ‘Alternative Nobel Prize’, provide fertile ground for such stories. In 2017, the Right Livelihood Award Foundation is launching a small grant scheme to support impartial and high-quality reporting on the work of ‘Alternative Nobel’ Laureates and, in doing so, put the spotlight on the issues that matter.
Grants
A total of five small grants for journalists will be disbursed in 2017. The grants will cover reasonable travel, accommodation and communication costs related to the selected story, as well as a modest honorarium. All successful applicants will be requested to sign a grant agreement prior to disbursement of funds and provide adequate justification for the costs incurred upon the completion of the assignment. Should reporting not take place for reasons other than force majeure, the Foundation reserves the right to revoke the funding
Deadline
The deadline for applications is 15 June 2017. The successful applicants will be announced on 1 July 2017. All selected grantees must complete their reports before the end of 2017.
Use of materials
The journalists retain full editorial control and copyright of the story; the Right Livelihood Award Foundation reserves the right to use all associated materials (photo, video and copy) free of charge in its own communications.
‘Alternative Nobel’ and World Future Council Mourn Egypt’s Sustainable Development Trailblazer
The Right Livelihood Award Foundation and the World Future Council are deeply saddened by the passing of their Egyptian Laureate and founding member Dr Ibrahim Abouleish.
Dr Abouleish, founder of SEKEM, received the ‘Alternative Nobel Prize’ in 2003 for implementing an innovative business model which combines commercial success with social and cultural development.
Dr Monika Griefahn, Chair of the Foundation’s Board, said: “On behalf of the entire Right Livelihood Award family, I would like to express our deepest condolences to the Abouleish family. Dr Abouleish was a true visionary and trailblazer, and the world is only now starting to catch up with his 40-year-old model of environmentally sustainable, socially just and economically viable development. A joyful and warm-hearted person, he will be greatly missed by all of us and his many colleagues and friends around the world.”
Dr Abouleish founded SEKEM in 1977 as a blueprint for the healthy corporation for the 21st century. Taking its name from the hieroglyphic transcription meaning “vitality of the sun”, SEKEM was the first entity to develop biodynamic farming methods in Egypt and has since broadened its scope to address health, educational and cultural issues. Dr Abouleish also founded the Heliopolis University for Sustainable Development where students study science, technology, arts, engineering and economics with a strong emphasis on sustainability. Over the years, SEKEM and the Heliopolis University played host to meetings of the World Future Council and the Right Livelihood Award Laureates.
50 Years of Occupation: Shrinking Space for Civil Society in Israel and Palestine
Human Rights, 26/04/2017
Fifty years after the start of the occupation, the space for civil society in both Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories is shrinking fast, according to Right Livelihood Award Laureate Ran Goldstein from Physicians for Human Rights – Israel.
Speaking at a seminar in the Swedish Parliament library yesterday, Goldstein voiced his concern about the growing pressures faced by activists on both sides in upholding basic human rights – from access to healthcare to freedom of expression. He was joined by Palestinian human rights defender Mahmoud Abu Rahma from Al Mezan Center for Human Rights.
The seminar took place against the backdrop of Israeli Prime Minister’s refusal to meet with German Foreign Minister over the latter’s meeting with anti-occupation groups on his visit to Israel.
“Prime Minister Netanyahu is not hesitating to use any tool in the box against human rights organisations. When he is out of arguments, his tactic is to silence us. But we will continue to speak out against human rights violations, and the only way to improve the situation is to end the occupation,” said Goldstein.
“There are different opinions about the situation in Israel. Netanyahu represents one view, but we have another view and in a democracy everyone should have freedom of expression and freedom of opinion. It is important for the world to know what’s really happening,” he added.
The seminar was organised by the Association for the Right Livelihood Award in the Swedish Parliament (SÄRLA), together with Riksdagsbiblioteket, Diakonia and the Right Livelihood Award Foundation.