Understanding the Nobel Peace Prize: Could it be a Possibility for Donald Trump?
Imagine the honor of being in the same league as former presidents like Barack Obama, Teddy Roosevelt, and Jimmy Carter. That's the prestige associated with the Nobel Peace Prize, one of the world's most renowned accolades. The current president, Donald Trump, is hopeful to be the next addition to this esteemed list.
The Nobel Peace Prize is an international award given to individuals or organizations that have made significant contributions to global peace. The identities of the nominees are usually kept secret by the Nobel Committee. Still, some choose to reveal their nominations publicly. From the early 20th century, the award has been given to world leaders, humanitarian workers, and international organizations.
What's the Significance of the Nobel Peace Prize?
The Nobel Peace Prize was the brainchild of a Swedish businessman, Alfred Nobel. In his will, he stated that his wealth should create a fund that would reward those who have made the most significant contributions to humanity.
Nobel's will specified that the prize should be given to the individual or organization that has done the most work in promoting peace among nations, reducing or abolishing standing armies, and organizing peace congresses. However, the award has expanded to honor various peace efforts, including combating climate change and promoting democracy.
Recipients of this prestigious award include politicians who have pursued international peace, individuals who have advocated for arms control and nuclear disarmament, and international human rights agencies. The Nobel Peace Prize is one among several Nobel prizes awarded for accomplishments in fields like medicine and literature.
The laureates receive a medal, a diploma, and a financial award. The gold medal, measuring 6.6 centimeters, bears a portrait of Alfred Nobel and engraving of his name, birth year, and year of death. The reverse side of the medal showcases three men embracing, a symbol of international fraternity, and the Latin phrase for "For peace and fraternity among peoples".
How is the Nobel Peace Prize Awarded?
The Nobel Peace Prize is given to the individual or organization that has made the largest strides towards world peace. The selection process is handled by a committee appointed by the Norwegian parliament, while the other Nobel prizes are awarded in Sweden.
Anyone can be nominated by an eligible nominator, which includes members of national assemblies, governments, international bodies like the International Court of Justice, university professors or directors, previous laureates, and members of the Nobel Committee. The committee does not validate the nominations before the deadline and does not comment publicly on the nominees. The identities of the nominees and the nominating committee are kept confidential for 50 years.
After the deadline, the committee evaluates the nominations and creates a shortlist of the most worthy candidates. These nominees are then assessed and examined by the committee members. The winner or winners are decided by a majority vote at the committee's final meeting before the announcement in early October. The committee strives to reach a unanimous decision.
Who Has Previously Won the Nobel Peace Prize?
Since its initiation in 1901, the Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded 105 times. The laureates include 92 men, 19 women, and 28 organizations. The inaugural recipients were Frédéric Passy, a French scientist and politician, and Jean Henry Durant, a Swiss businessman and co-founder of the Red Cross. Other notable laureates include Pakistani activist Malala Yousafzai and former President Barack Obama. Organizations like the United Nations' World Food Program and the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons have also been recognized.
Could Donald Trump be Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize?
President Trump has positioned himself as a "president of peace", claiming to have ended multiple wars during his second term. However, it's unclear if the actions or influence of the United States were decisive in these conflicts. Mr. Trump has been nominated for the award previously during his first term and again by the Israeli Prime Minister and the government of Pakistan.
Despite his self-proclaimed eligibility, experts suggest that the committee is unlikely to award the prize to Mr. Trump for his achievements in his second term. That being said, former President Obama received the prize without any significant peace agreements in his first year in office. The committee tends to focus on long-lasting peace, the promotion of international fraternity, and the work of institutions that strengthen these goals.