Nobel Peace Prize: Latest News And Analysis

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The Nobel Peace Prize is one of the five Nobel Prizes established by the will of Swedish industrialist Alfred Nobel. It is awarded annually to those who have "done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses."

History of the Nobel Peace Prize

Alfred Nobel signed his last will and testament in Paris on 27 November 1895. Much of his fortune was set aside to establish the five Nobel Prizes. These prizes are in Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, Literature, and Peace. The Nobel Peace Prize is administered by the Norwegian Nobel Committee. The committee consists of five members chosen by the Parliament of Norway. Unlike the other Nobel Prizes, it is not awarded in Stockholm, Sweden, but in Oslo, Norway.

The first Nobel Peace Prize was awarded in 1901 to Frédéric Passy and Henry Dunant. Passy was a founder of the International League of Peace. Dunant was the founder of the Red Cross and the initiator of the Geneva Conventions.

Key Milestones:

  • 1901: First Nobel Peace Prize awarded.
  • 1917 & 1944: The International Committee of the Red Cross receives the prize.
  • 1979: Mother Teresa wins the prize for her work with the poor.
  • 2012: The European Union is awarded the prize for its role in transforming Europe from a continent of war to a continent of peace.

How Winners Are Selected

The Norwegian Nobel Committee invites nominations from thousands of individuals worldwide. These include university professors, parliamentarians, former Nobel laureates, and members of international courts.

The committee reviews the nominations and establishes a shortlist. After thorough investigation and discussion, the committee selects the laureate or laureates. The decision is final and without appeal.

Criteria for Selection:

  • Promotion of peace and fraternity between nations.
  • Reduction of standing armies.
  • Holding and promotion of peace congresses.

Recent Nobel Peace Prize Winners

Recent winners include individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to peace, human rights, and humanitarian efforts. Here are a few notable examples:

  • 2020: World Food Programme for its efforts to combat hunger.
  • 2021: Maria Ressa and Dmitry Muratov for their fight for freedom of expression in the Philippines and Russia.
  • 2022: Ales Bialiatski, Memorial, and Center for Civil Liberties for promoting human rights and democracy in Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine.

Controversies and Criticisms

The Nobel Peace Prize has faced controversies and criticisms over the years. Some awards have been seen as politically motivated. Others have sparked debate regarding the laureate's actual contribution to peace.

Notable Controversies:

  • 1973: Award to Henry Kissinger and Lê Đức Thọ, which led to Thọ declining the prize.
  • 1994: Award to Yasser Arafat, Shimon Peres, and Yitzhak Rabin.
  • 2009: Award to Barack Obama early in his presidency.

Impact of the Nobel Peace Prize

The Nobel Peace Prize brings global attention to important issues and causes. It provides laureates with a platform to advocate for their work and can lead to increased support and funding for their organizations.

Key Impacts:

  • Raises awareness of critical global issues.
  • Provides laureates with international recognition.
  • Encourages and supports peace efforts worldwide.

The Nobel Peace Prize remains a prestigious and influential award. It continues to inspire individuals and organizations to work towards a more peaceful and just world. For more information, visit the official Nobel Prize website.