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THE ALTERNATIVE promptly founded the Right Livelihood Award, selling his

stamp collection worth over one million US dollars at the time,
for initial funding. Often referred to as the “Alternate Nobel
NOBEL PRIZE Prize,” it is one of the most prestigious awards in the
world promoting sustainability, social justice and peace.

Recipients of the Right Livelihood Award are initially
nominated by individuals or organizations around the world in
an open process. The Foundation processes more than one
OLE VON UEXKÜLL hundred nominations yearly. The Foundation’s research team
reviews the nominations which culminates in an international
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Jury making the final decision on the year’s Laureates.
The winning Laureates’ accomplishments are then publicly
RIGHT LIVELIHOOD AWARD FOUNDATION recognized for the world to see.

STOCKHOLM Ole von Uexküll holds the position of Executive Director of the
Right Livelihood Foundation. He is the nephew of Jakob von
Uexküll, and he, too, has a passion for international affairs and
activism. His interest began in his early childhood growing up

Throughout all generations of time people have identified in Western Germany during the 1980’s, a decade that included
changes that would improve their communities and the greater one of the pivotal moments in world history. In 1989 the world
world. Sometimes these people are called activists, sometimes witnessed the fall of the Berlin Wall, that divided communist
they are called disrupters, and sometimes they are even East Germany from West Germany. Ole’s parents took him
called heroes. For Generation Z, youth today between the to rallies while political movements were taking place, and as
ages of eighteen and twenty-three, activism through youth-led he grew into a young adult he became increasingly aware of
movements has increasingly been recognized and successful events not just within Germany, but from a global standpoint.
on a global scale. Environmental conservation is a major cause Ole became aware of the criticisms of progress toward
that today’s youth involve themselves in not only for their own liberal democracy and recognized that for democracy to be
future, but for the generations to follow. successful, it had to be made increasingly inclusive.
Activism among youth has particularly come to light during With a career history involving leadership and diplomacy in
the pandemic in the form of digital arts. Illustrations, digital the European Parliament in Brussels, the United Nations
exhibitions, and campaigns using hashtags have allowed young Environment Programme in Paris, and the German Parliament
people to channel their creativity to collaborate as a community in Berlin, Ole believes that it is crucial to work for change
even when far apart. The digital platform enables them to gain where you are and with your talents. “Children have a very
inspiration from others, and to pursue leadership roles in their good moral compass.” He emphasizes that often children
communities to enact change. Platforms and creative outlets are better at recognizing problems within their communities
for activism have grown and undoubtedly, leaders in these than adults, and that it is important for children to tap into this
movements are deserving of recognition for their life-changing and take advantage of the opportunities to become activists
positive impact on others. and advocates for positive change early on.
The Right Livelihood Foundation seeks to promote peace The Right Livelihood Foundation’s four pillars— honor,
and justice and eliminate material and spiritual poverty support, educate, and inform—are fostered through the
throughout the world. Based in Sweden, it was founded in partnerships it creates with universities, connecting academics
1980 by Jakob von Uexküll. Stamp collecting sparked Jakob’s with activists. His advice to young and future activists is to
interest in the wide world. Following the roots of movements “go from your inside to action,” encouraging youth to think
for peace around the world, he noticed a disconnect between from within about the things that ought to be changed as
decision making in large global conferences and what was the ideal first step to make a difference in one’s community.
actually being implemented on the ground by activists. Seeking “Raise your voice and make your first experience as an
support for these community activists who worked hard to activist.” Recognizing the crucial work of the Laureates and
provide practical solutions, Jakob approached the Nobel further promoting their message to a worldwide audience is
Foundation with the proposal to create two new prize categories how Ole takes initiative for the global community and inspires
to recognize individuals working for environmental causes and activists from all walks of life.
for social justice. When his proposal was not accepted, he

OLE VON UEXKÜLL THE ALTERNATIVE NOBEL PRIZE https://icaf.org