Nobel Peace Prize facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Nobel Peace Prize |
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Jimmy Carter's 2002 Nobel Peace Prize
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| Presented by | Norwegian Nobel Committee on behalf of Alfred Nobel | |||
| Location | Oslo, Norway | |||
| Reward | 11 million SEK (2024) 10 million SEK (2022) |
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| First awarded | 10 December 1901 | |||
| Currently held by | Nihon Hidankyo (2024) | |||
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The Nobel Peace Prize is one of the world's most famous awards. It is given each year to a person or group who has done incredible work to promote peace. This could be by helping countries get along, reducing weapons in the world, or fighting for human rights.
The prize was created by Alfred Nobel, a Swedish inventor. It is one of five Nobel Prizes he established in his will. The others are for Chemistry, Physics, Medicine, and Literature. The Peace Prize has been awarded almost every year since 1901.
A special group called the Norwegian Nobel Committee chooses the winner. The award ceremony is held in Oslo, Norway. Because it often deals with politics, the prize can sometimes cause disagreements. Still, it is known as "the most prestigious prize in the world."
The 2024 prize was given to Nihon Hidankyo, a Japanese group of atomic bomb survivors. They won "for its efforts to achieve a world free of nuclear weapons."
Contents
The Story Behind the Prize
In his will, Alfred Nobel said the Peace Prize should go to the person who has "done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations." This means creating friendship and cooperation between countries. He also wanted to honor work that helped get rid of or shrink armies and supported peace meetings.
Nobel was a chemical engineer who invented dynamite and other powerful materials. It is not perfectly clear why he created a prize for peace. Some people think his friendship with Bertha von Suttner, a peace activist who later won the prize herself, inspired him.
Others believe Nobel wanted to make up for creating things that could be used for destruction. His inventions were used in wars, and he owned a company that made weapons.
The "Merchant of Death"
There is a famous story about why Nobel created the prizes. In 1888, his brother Ludvig died. Some newspapers made a mistake and published obituaries (death announcements) for Alfred instead. One French newspaper headline supposedly said, "Le marchand de la mort est mort" ("The merchant of death is dead").
The article said that Dr. Nobel got rich by finding ways to kill people faster than ever before. The story goes that Nobel was so upset by this that he decided to create the prizes to leave behind a better legacy. We are not sure if this newspaper article really existed, but it's a popular story.
Why Norway?
It is also not clear why Nobel wanted the Peace Prize to be given out in Norway. At the time, Norway and Sweden were ruled together as one kingdom. The Nobel Committee thinks Nobel may have felt Norway was a better choice because it had less of a military history than Sweden. Also, Norway's parliament was very active in trying to solve conflicts peacefully.
How Winners Are Chosen
The Norwegian Nobel Committee, a group of five people chosen by the Norwegian Parliament, selects the winner of the Peace Prize.
Who can suggest a winner?
Each year, the committee invites certain people to nominate candidates for the prize. You can't nominate yourself! People who can make nominations include:
- Members of national governments and parliaments
- Members of international courts
- University professors in subjects like history, law, and philosophy
- Past Nobel Peace Prize winners
- Members of the Nobel Committee
Most nominations are in English or Norwegian. They must be sent to the committee by early February. In 2011, a record 241 nominations were received.
Making the final choice
The committee reviews all the nominations and creates a short list of candidates. They have expert advisers who research the people on the list. The committee tries to make a unanimous decision, but this isn't always possible.
The winner is usually chosen by September. However, all the information about the nominations and discussions is kept secret for 50 years. This means we only find out who was considered for the prize long after it was awarded.
The Award Ceremony
The Nobel Peace Prize is presented on December 10th each year. This is the anniversary of Alfred Nobel's death. The ceremony takes place in the Oslo City Hall in Norway. The King of Norway and the royal family attend, making it a very special event.
The Peace Prize is the only Nobel Prize not presented in Stockholm, Sweden. The winner, called a laureate, receives three things:
- A diploma
- A medal
- A document confirming the prize money (usually about 1 million U.S. dollars)
What Does the Medal Look Like?
The Peace Prize medal was designed by the Norwegian sculptor Gustav Vigeland.
- The front of the medal has a picture of Alfred Nobel.
- The back of the medal shows three men in a "fraternal bond," which represents friendship and brotherhood.
- It also has the Latin words "Pro pace et fraternitate gentium", which means "For the peace and brotherhood of men."
Prize Winners Through the Years
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As of 2023, the Peace Prize has been awarded to 111 individuals and 27 organizations. Nineteen women have won the Nobel Peace Prize, which is more than any other Nobel category.
Only two winners have received the prize more than once:
- The International Committee of the Red Cross has won three times (1917, 1944, and 1963) for its work helping people in wars and disasters.
- The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has won twice (1954 and 1981) for its work helping refugees who have had to flee their homes.
See also
In Spanish: Premio Nobel de la Paz para niños
- Gandhi Peace Prize
- Sakharov Prize
- Mosaddegh Prize
