26 Sep 2017 - by A4ID

Two A4ID Development Partners honoured with “Alternative Nobel Prize”

A4ID is delighted to announce two of their Development Partners—founder of the Human Rights Law Network, Colin Gonsalves and Senior Inclusion Advisor of the Light for the World, Yetnebersh Nigussie—have been named Laureates of the 2017 Right Livelihood Award.

A4ID is delighted to announce two of their Development Partners—founder of the Human Rights Law Network, Colin Gonsalves and Senior Inclusion Advisor of the Light for the World, Yetnebersh Nigussie—have been named Laureates of the 2017 Right Livelihood Award.

The announcement was made at the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs following the decision by an international Jury that considered 102 nominations from 51 countries. The Right Livelihood Award was established in 1980 and supports courageous people and organisations offering visionary and exemplary solutions to the root causes of global problems. It has become widely known as the ‘Alternative Nobel Prize’ and there are now 166 Laureates from 68 countries.

Colin Gonsalves, a senior advocate of the Supreme Court of India has, for over three decades, been at the helm of the Human Rights Law Network, relentlessly engaging in public interest litigation to hold the Indian government to account and helping to secure a broad spectrum of human rights.

Gonsalves said upon learning of the award, “I am both humbled and privileged by the Award. It comes at a time when India is going through a dark period and human rights activists are under siege. The platform the Foundation provides will help us strengthen democratic resistance at this critical stage.”

Furthermore, Yetnebersh Nigussie, a blind Ethiopian human rights activist, was recognised by the Jury “for her inspiring work promoting the rights and inclusion of people with disabilities, allowing them to realise their full potential and changing mindsets in our societies”.

Currently a Senior Inclusion Advisor with the international disability and development NGO, Light for the World, Nigussie fights for the inclusion of the world’s disabled population. She strives to create inclusive conditions for future generations by connecting national realities with international frameworks.

Upon receiving the news, Nigussie commented, “It is an absolute honour to receive the prestigious Right Livelihood Award. The recognition provides welcome fuel to the disability and development community’s ongoing call for inclusion and full participation of people with disabilities in all spheres of life.”

Both Gonsalves and Nigussie received a cash award of SEK 1 million (€104,944), the prize money is for ongoing successful work, not for personal use.

Found out more about the Right Livelihood Award here and more about our Development Partners here.