Unveiling the Nobel Peace Prize: A Legacy of Peace and Brotherhood

The Nobel Peace Prize stands as one of the world's most prestigious awards, honoring individuals and organizations that have championed peace and made significant contributions to humanity. But how did this esteemed prize come to be, and what are the intricate details of its nomination and selection process?

The Origins of the Nobel Peace Prize

To understand the genesis of the Nobel Peace Prize, we must journey back to the 19th century and the story of Alfred Nobel. A Swedish chemist, Nobel gained prominence for his invention of dynamite, a groundbreaking innovation that propelled him to success as an inventor and businessman. Despite amassing considerable wealth, Nobel remained unmarried and childless. Upon his death, his will revealed a surprising directive: his fortune was to be used to establish five prizes in the fields of physics, chemistry, medicine, literature, and, notably, peace.

Nobel's commitment to science and passion for literature were evident in the establishment of these prizes. However, the inclusion of a peace prize has sparked much speculation, particularly given Nobel's association with inventions used in the war industry. While some have suggested that the peace prize was born out of regret, there is no evidence to support this claim. Instead, many historians believe that Nobel's interest in peace was influenced by his close friendship and correspondence with Bertha Von Suttner, an Austrian pacifist and a leading figure in the international peace movement. In fact, Von Suttner became the first woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize in 1905, after Nobel's death.

Nobel's will outlined three criteria for the Peace Prize: disarmament, peace congresses, and brotherhood between nations. Unlike the other Nobel Prizes, which are administered in Sweden, the Peace Prize is administered in Norway. Over time, these standards have been broadened to encompass other avenues for promoting peace, such as human rights and negotiations. It's also worth noting that the prize can be shared by up to three laureates.

The Nomination and Selection Process

So, how does the nomination process for the Nobel Peace Prize work? According to the Nobel Foundation, a valid nomination can be submitted by:

Members of national assemblies
State governments
International courts
University rectors
Professors of social sciences, history, philosophy, law, and theology
Previous recipients of the Peace Prize

However, the nomination process is shrouded in secrecy. All information about nominations remains confidential for 50 years. For example, the identity of Martin Luther King Jr.'s nominators was not revealed until 2014. It was then discovered that he had been nominated by the Quakers, who had previously won the prize, and eight members of the Swedish Parliament.

There is no limit to the number of times a person or organization can be nominated. Jane Addams, a pioneer in social work in the United States, received 91 nominations before finally being awarded the prize.

The absence of a laureate can also carry symbolic weight. The decision not to award the prize in 1948, following the death of Mahatma Gandhi, has been interpreted as a gesture of respect for the "missing laureate."

As with the other Nobel Prizes, the Peace Prize cannot be awarded posthumously. The selection process, which takes nearly a year, is conducted by the five appointed members of the Norwegian Nobel Committee. These members are prohibited from holding any official political office in Norway.

The committee begins with a large pool of nominations, often exceeding 300 in recent years. They evaluate each candidate's work and create a shortlist. Finally, the chairman of the Nobel Committee announces the laureate in October.

The awards ceremony takes place on December 10th, the anniversary of Alfred Nobel's death. The prize includes a gold medal inscribed with the Latin words "Pro pace et fraternitate gentium," meaning "For the peace and brotherhood of men," as well as a diploma and a substantial cash prize. In recent years, the cash prize has been approximately 8 million Swedish kronor, or about one million US dollars, which is divided in the case of multiple laureates.

While laureates are free to use the prize money as they wish, many have chosen to donate it to humanitarian or social causes.

A Prize Reflecting Global Change

For many years, the Nobel Peace Prize was predominantly awarded to European and North American men. However, in recent years, significant changes have been taking place, making the prize more global and inclusive than ever before.

In total, 23 organizations and 103 individuals, comprising 87 men and 16 women, have been honored as Nobel Peace Prize laureates. Their ranks include:

Desmond Tutu, for his nonviolent campaign against apartheid in South Africa
Jody Williams, for her campaign to ban and clear anti-personnel mines
Rigoberta Menchú Tum, for her work for social justice and reconciliation based on respect for the rights of Indigenous peoples
Martti Ahtisaari, for his efforts to resolve international conflicts in Namibia, Kosovo, and Indonesia
Aung San Suu Kyi, for her nonviolent struggle for democracy and human rights in Myanmar

These are just a few examples of the individuals and organizations that have inspired us, challenged us, and demonstrated that there are many paths to peace. The Nobel Peace Prize serves as a beacon of hope, recognizing those who have dedicated their lives to building a more peaceful and just world.