The Power of Activism, and How Communities Can and Must Change the World
True Change Always Comes from People Standing Up Together
The power of the people is real, and it starts with each of us. Today we're joined by Ole von Uexkull of the Right Livelihood Foundation. Known worldwide as the "alternative Nobel Prize", the Right Livelihood Award celebrates and amplifies the work of people who are building change from the ground up within their local communities. Changemakers like Greta Thunberg, Edward Snowden, Daniel Ellsberg, Vandana Shiva, Mordechai Vanunu, and many more have been honored with the Right Livelihood Award for fighting for global human and environmental rights and for advocating for greater transparency from systems of power. Right Livelihood laureates are reimagining our world and building solutions to global problems right now. By following their example and engaging with our local communities we can build movements to reshape every aspect of society. True change has always grown out of action taken by citizens coming together to speak with one voice. Join us, learn more, get inspired, and take action today.
What you can do today
Learn more, donate, and get involved at rightlivelihood.org
Follow the Right Livelihood mission on Instagram and Twitter
Check out the Act Now section of the Right Livelihood website for inspiration to take action today
Research the crucial work of Right Livelihood laureates online and support their missions with your time, awareness, or through donations. Share their stories with others in your community to grow the conversation.
Learn more about the Right Livelihood College at UC Santa Cruz and explore student programs which connect laureates with universities around the world
Challenge
Become an activist for a cause you believe in. Take action by joining local groups which are advocating for your chosen cause close to you or add your voice to online activism efforts. Experience the feeling of getting directly involved with something you care about and amplify that message within your community.
Resources
Amnesty International article explaining the devastating loss of the Memorial organization, the top human rights group in Russia which was just shut down on December 29, 2021
Memorial website article highlighting the Nobel Peace Prize nomination in progress for them despite the recent challenges
Article from The Guardian telling the story of the return of Native lands to indigenous peoples in northern California
Save the Redwoods article describing their gift of these lands back to the local indigenous community
Website of the Sinkyone Council who is overseeing care of their ancestral lands in California
Sydney Morning Herald article highlighting the story of South Australia’s success in running their entire energy grid off of renewable energy for one week in late December, 2021
The Power of Activism, and How Communities Can and Must Change the World
Rediscovering the power of people and communities with Ole von Uexkull, executive director of the Right Livelihood Foundation