'Alternative Nobel Prize' winners announced

Press Release

2005 RIGHT LIVELIHOOD AWARDS HONOUR PIONEERS FOR JUSTICE, FAIR TRADE
AND CULTURAL RENEWAL

The 2005 Honorary Right Livelihood Award goes to one of Mexicos
greatest living artists and community philanthropists, Franscisco
Toledo.

The SEK 2 million Award is shared by Maude Barlow and Tony Clarke from
Canada, Irene Fernandez from Malaysia, and the organisation First
People of the Kalahari, and its founder Roy Sesana, from Botswana.

The Jurys citations in respect of the 2005 Right Livelihood Awards are
as follows:

Francisco Toledo (Mexico) - for devoting himself and his art to the
protection, enhancement and renewal of the architectural and cultural
heritage, natural environment and community life of his native Oaxaca.

Maude Barlow and Tony Clarke (Canada) - for their exemplary and
longstanding worldwide work for trade justice and the recognition of
the fundamental human right to water.

Irene Fernandez (Malaysia) - for her outstanding and courageous work
to stop violence against women and abuses of migrant and poor workers.

The organization First People of the Kalahari, and its founder Roy
Sesana (Botswana) - for resolute resistance against eviction from
their ancestral lands, and for upholding the right to their traditional
way of life.

Founded in 1980 the Right Livelihood Awards are presented annually in
the Swedish Parliament and are often referred to as Alternative Nobel
Prizes. They were introduced to honour and support those offering
practical and exemplary answers to the most urgent challenges facing us
today.

Jakob von Uexkull, a Swedish-German philatelic expert, sold his
valuable postage stamps to provide the original endowment. Alfred Nobel
wanted to honour those whose work brought the greatest benefit to
humanity. Von Uexkull felt that the Nobel Prizes today ignore much
work and knowledge vital for our world and future.

A press conference with the recipients will be held in Stockholm on
Wednesday, December 7th. The award presentation ceremony in the Swedish
Parliament will be held on December 9th.

There were 77 candidates from 39 countries on the confidential list of
nominations this year: 4 from Africa, 4 from the Arab world, 20 from
Asia, 1 from Australia, 26 from Europe, 12 from Latin America and 10
from North America.

Further information on the new recipients can be downloaded from
www.rightlivelihood.org

For more information:
Kerstin Bennett, Administrative Director
Right Livelihood Award, Stockholm.
Tel: +46-8-702 03 40
Fax: +46-8-702 03 38
E-mail: info @ rightlivelihood.org
Website: www.rightlivelihood.org