Opening of international Campus of „Alternative Nobel Prize“ in Bonn
Bonn, May 30, 2011. The new international Campus of the Right Livelihood Award in Bonn has been inaugurated officially. It is based at the Center for Development Research (ZEF). Bonns Lord Mayor Jürgen Nimptsch and the Rector of the University of Bonn, Jürgen Fohrmann welcomed the audience, among them “Alternative Nobel Prize” laureates such as Raul Montenegro from Argentina, Hanumappa Sudarshan from India, Shrikrishna Upadhyay from Nepal und Wes Jackson from the U.S.A.
The Right Livelihood College (RLC) in Bonn is one of four international RLC campuses and therewith part of a global network promoting transfer and exchange of knowledge and competence between “Alternative Nobel Prize” laureates and science, civil society and politics.
“The RLC in Bonn will particularly support the exchange between laureates and young scientists from developing and transition countries”, says Solvay Gerke, ZEF Director. “The doctoral students, supported by stipends of the DAAD, have the chance of visiting the laureates and backing up their projects with scientific analysis and input. Moreover, the laureates have the opportunity to teach as guest lecturers in Germany.” The RLC Campus is being funded by the DAAD.
„The RLC Campus Bonn strengthens Bonn as an international science hub and as a location for political North-South dialogue”, says the Lord Mayor of Bonn, Jürgen Nimptsch.
During a three-day workshop 20 selected doctoral students (out of 120 applicants) will deal with the issue of “Reverse degradation by innovation: New pathways of sustainable natural resource management”, together with the four attending laureates. Ten students receive scholarships by the DAAD.
The „Alternative Nobel Prize“ has been awarded by the Swedish Parliament since 1980. The Prize is awarded to persons and organizations involved in the realms of peace, environmental and human rights. Hundred-thirty laureates from 60 countries have been awarded to date.
