IPRI Executive Director Joan Carling recognised with Right Livelihood Award

Joan Carling, the Executive Director of Indigenous Peoples’ Rights International (IPRI), has been recognised with an award for or her defence of Indigenous communities, lands, and culture at the grassroots, regional, and international levels.

Carling is the recipient of the Right Livelihood Award 2024 for her role in amplifying the voices of Indigenous Peoples across the Philippines, Asia, and globally, with a focus on combating the systemic marginalisation and criminalisation of Indigenous communities. Carling, a Filipino Indigenous activist, has been defending the rights of Indigenous Peoples for more than 30 years. Her work focuses on recognition and protection of Indigenous Peoples’ rights, including land rights, self-determination, and environmental protection.

IPRI is a founding member of the Nature Crime Alliance, and partners with the Alliance Secretariat on the Working Group for Indigenous Peoples’ and Frontline Defenders.

Commenting on her award, Carling said: “Indigenous Peoples face constant struggle: we’re evicted from our lands for both extractive projects and the green transition, yet our social development is ignored in the context of so-called sustainable development. All of us need to think about how we use our natural resources sustainably for the benefit of everyone and not the few.”

The Right Livelihood Award highlights courageous people solving global problems. It was founded in 1980 to create new prizes to honour individuals committed to advancing social justice and environmental causes.

Tsveti Bandakova, Programme Manager for the Nature Crime Alliance, said: “Joan is an inspirational champion of Indigenous Peoples around the world, and we are delighted that she has been recognised with this prestigious award.

“Joan has also been a key supporter of the Nature Crime Alliance, serving on our Steering Committee and partnering with us to create a working group that amplifies the voices of Indigenous Peoples and frontline defenders. We look forward to working with her and IPRI on this critical issue and offer her our warmest congratulations on the award.”