October 6, 2023 Activists fighting to save nature under oppressive regime awarded

The 2023 Right Livelihood Award goes to Mother Nature Cambodia, shining a light on the work and suffering of its activists to safeguard both lives and nature.

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. 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.

In 2023, 170 nominees from 68 countries were considered. Among this year’s winners was the Cambodian non-profit Mother Nature Cambodia, selected for its “fearless and engaging activism to preserve Cambodia’s natural environment in the context of a highly restricted democratic space.”

Activism in the face of oppression

Established in 2012, Mother Nature Cambodia is a youth-led environmental rights organization at the forefront of safeguarding nature and livelihoods amid a government crackdown on civil society activism in Cambodia. They employ innovative methods like viral videos, training, and mobilizing young Cambodians to expose and halt environmental violations. Successful campaigns include preventing a Chinese-led hydroelectric dam construction that threatened an Indigenous community and ending corrupt sand exports damaging coastal ecosystems.

Despite government hostility, with 11 activists jailed and the founder, Alejandro Gonzalez-Davidson, forced to leave the country, they persist.

This is exactly the type of bravery and persistence that the Award seeks to both highlight and support:

“The 2023 Right Livelihood Laureates fight for people’s right to health, safety, a clean environment and democracy,” shares 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.”

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

Lead Photo: Right Livelihood Award