Their life and actions guarantee the safe existence of others. Thanks to their devotion and courage tens, hundreds, thousands of people were spared a terrible fate. Neither wars nor natural disasters nor terrorism can stop them. In Africa, Middle East, Latin America and other ends of the world they invest not only their time, resources and security but also the most valuable – their life – to make the world a better place to live.

Tep Vanny is a land rights activist and human rights defender from Cambodia and the co-creator of the Boeung Kak 13 activist group. The group has led several peaceful protests against the lease of land to the Shukaku corporation, whose Boeung Kak lake area development project caused 17,500 people to be evicted from their homes.