The Nobel Peace Prize is awarded annually by the Norwegian Nobel Committee to individuals or organisations that have done the most or 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
The Nobel Peace Prize was established by Alfred Nobel, a Swedish chemist, engineer, and inventor, in his last will and testament. In his will, Nobel stipulated that the prize be awarded to "the person who shall have done the most or best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses." The first Nobel Peace Prize was awarded in 1901 to Frédéric Passy, a French pacifist, and Jean Henri Dunant, a Swiss businessman who was the founder of the Red Cross.
The Nobel Peace Prize Laureates
Since 1901, the Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to 108 individuals and 24 organisations. Some of the most notable Nobel Peace Prize laureates include:
- Mahatma Gandhi (1948) for his nonviolent resistance to British rule in India
- Nelson Mandela (1993) for his work to end apartheid in South Africa
- Martin Luther King Jr. (1964) for his work for civil rights in the United States
- Mother Teresa (1979) for her work with the poor and dying in Calcutta, India
- Aung San Suu Kyi (1991) for her work for democracy and human rights in Myanmar
- Barack Obama (2009) for his efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation
The Nobel Peace Prize and the World
The Nobel Peace Prize has played an important role in promoting peace and understanding between nations. The prize has helped to raise awareness of important issues such as nuclear disarmament, human rights, and environmental protection. It has also inspired and encouraged individuals and organisations to work for a more peaceful world.