The Prize That Changed How We Think About Peace
Alfred Nobel, the Swedish inventor of dynamite, created one of the world's most prestigious awards in his 1895 will. Many historians believe Nobel felt guilty about how his explosives were used in warfare. He wanted his fortune to reward people who helped humanity instead of harming it.
The Nobel Peace Prize became his way of promoting harmony between nations. The first award was given in 1901, and it has since recognized over 100 individuals and organizations.
Unlike the other Nobel Prizes given in Sweden, the Peace Prize is uniquely awarded in Oslo, Norway, creating an interesting international element to the honor.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee, made up of five people appointed by Norway's parliament, decides who wins each year. They review hundreds of nominations from qualified people like government leaders, university professors, and previous winners.
The committee looks for individuals or groups who have made outstanding contributions to peace through diplomacy, human rights work, or conflict resolution.
Winners receive a medal, a diploma, and prize money of around 11 million Swedish kronor. The announcement happens every October, and the award ceremony takes place on December 10, the anniversary of Alfred Nobel's death.
Not everyone agrees with the committee's choices. Some winners have been called into question years after receiving the award. Henry Kissinger won in 1973 while the Vietnam War was still ongoing, which many people found troubling.
The 2009 award to President Barack Obama came very early in his presidency, leading to criticism that he had not yet accomplished enough. The committee has also been criticized for leaving out important peace advocates like Mahatma Gandhi, who never won despite multiple nominations.
These controversies show how difficult it is to measure peace and decide who truly deserves recognition.
Recent winners have focused on pressing global issues. Malala Yousafzai became the youngest winner in 2014 at age 17 for her work on education rights. The World Food Programme won in 2020 for fighting hunger during the pandemic.
In 2023, Narges Mohammadi received the prize while imprisoned in Iran for her human rights activism. These modern recipients demonstrate how the prize has evolved to recognize different forms of peacebuilding beyond traditional diplomacy.
The Nobel Peace Prize gives winners a powerful platform to continue their work. The global attention helps them raise awareness, secure funding, and influence policy decisions.
The award also inspires younger generations to pursue careers in diplomacy, humanitarian work, and activism.
While the prize cannot solve conflicts by itself, it highlights the people and organizations working toward a more peaceful world and reminds us that positive change is possible.
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