Nobel Peace Prize facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Nobel Peace Prize |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
.jpg)
Jimmy Carter's 2002 Nobel Peace Prize
|
||||
| Presented by | Norwegian Nobel Committee on behalf of the estate of Alfred Nobel | |||
| Location | Oslo, Norway | |||
| Reward | 12 million SEK | |||
| First awarded | 10 December 1901 | |||
| Currently held by | Navi Pillay (2026) | |||
|
||||
The Nobel Peace Prize is one of the most famous awards in the entire world. It was created through the will of Alfred Nobel, an inventor and businessman from Sweden. He also created prizes for Chemistry, Physics, Physiology or Medicine, and Literature. Together, these honors are called the Nobel Prizes.
The award is given to individuals or groups who work hard to end conflicts, protect human rights, and bring friendly peace between nations. The winner is chosen in Norway by a special group called the Norwegian Nobel Committee. The award has been handed out almost every December since 1901.
Contents
The Story Behind the Nobel Peace Prize
Alfred Nobel was born in Sweden and became a brilliant scientist who understood chemistry and physics. He invented powerful things, including dynamite and ballistite. These tools helped builders dig tunnels, build roads, and clear rocks through mountains. However, people also used these explosives in conflicts and battles. Nobel earned a massive fortune from his factories, including the company Bofors.
As he grew older, Nobel thought deeply about what he would leave behind for future generations. A close friend named Bertha von Suttner, who was an active writer, inspired him to care deeply about the global peace movement. When Nobel passed away in 1896, his legal will surprised everyone. He asked that his vast wealth be placed in a special fund to reward heroes who help humanity.
He specifically stated that one award should go to someone who made outstanding efforts for friendship between countries. He also wanted to honor people working for the reduction of armies and the promotion of a peace congress. Today, many people consider it the highest honor a peacemaker can receive.
Why Was Norway Chosen to Host the Award?
Alfred Nobel decided that while other prizes would be given in Sweden, the peace award would be chosen in Norway. During Nobel's life, Norway was ruled in a union with Sweden.
Historians believe Nobel respected the Norwegian Parliament. At that time, Norway had strong efforts toward helping countries solve problems peacefully. Its leaders took part in meetings held by the Inter-Parliamentary Union, which helped disagreeing nations talk instead of fight. Nobel trusted Norway to choose fair winners for this special international award.
How Laureates Are Nominated and Chosen
Winning this prize is an enormous honor, and the selection process takes nearly an entire year. The five members of the Norwegian Nobel Committee are chosen by the Parliament of Norway. They read hundreds of suggestions before deciding on the final Nobel Peace Prize laureate.
Who Can Nominate Candidates?
Not just anyone can send in a suggestion for the prize. The Nobel rules state that nominations must come from trusted global leaders and thinkers. People who can nominate include:
- Members of national parliaments, world governments, and the Inter-Parliamentary Union
- Judges serving on the International Court of Justice and the Permanent Court of Arbitration
- Scholars from the Institut de Droit International
- University professors studying history, philosophy, law, religion, or social science
- Directors of peace institutes and international think tanks
- Past winners, known as laureates, and their organizations
- Former members and advisers of the Norwegian Nobel Committee and the Norwegian Nobel Institute
Nominations must arrive by early February. Thousands of people around the world can submit names, so hundreds of nominees are suggested each year. To protect everybody involved, the committee keeps all names secret for 50 years. Sometimes people hear in the news that a person is nominated, but that only means someone submitted their name.
The Final Decision Process
Once all nominations arrive, the committee creates a short list of promising candidates. Experts at the Norwegian Nobel Institute in Oslo prepare detailed research reports on these candidates.
The committee reviews every report over several months during private meetings. They discuss each person's work and try to reach an agreement together. The final choice is usually made by late September and announced to the world in early October.
The Award Ceremony and Celebrations
Every year on December 10, the anniversary of Nobel's death, an exciting celebration takes place. The award ceremony is held inside Oslo City Hall. Members of the Norwegian royal family, including the King of Norway, attend the formal event.
In earlier decades, the ceremony took place inside the Parliament of Norway Building and later at the University of Oslo Faculty of Law. It is the only Nobel award presented outside Stockholm.
During the event, the winner receives three key things:
- A gold medal designed by artist Gustav Vigeland
- A hand-painted, personalized diploma
- A large cash reward to support good work
The monetary prize is paid in Swedish kronor. In 1901, the prize amount was 150,782 kronor, while today it is 12 million kronor. Many winners donate this money to charities, schools, and humanitarian missions.
The Famous Peace Medal
The medal itself is an artistic treasure made of solid gold. The front shows an image of Alfred Nobel made by sculptor Gustav Vigeland with special dies crafted by Erik Lindberg.
The back of the medal shows three men holding each other in friendship, representing brotherhood among all people. It includes a Latin motto that means "For the peace and brotherhood of men." Around the edge, the artist engraves the recipient's name and the year of the award.
Inspiring Nobel Peace Prize Laureates
_-_THE_NOBEL_PEACE_PRIZE_LAUREATES_FOR_1994_IN_OSLO..jpg)
Many remarkable figures have won the prize over the decades. Great leaders such as the 14th Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu earned the award for showing courage through kindness and non-violent actions. Former United States President Jimmy Carter won in 2002 for his tireless work resolving international disputes and defending basic human dignity.
In 1994, political leaders Yasser Arafat, Shimon Peres, and Yitzhak Rabin shared the honor for their shared negotiations in the Middle East. More recently, human rights defender Navi Pillay received the 2026 award for her legal efforts promoting fairness and international justice.
Organizations That Won the Award
The prize does not go only to individual people. Often, entire groups win because their collective team protects lives. The International Committee of the Red Cross has won the award three times for helping wounded people and civilians during tough times.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has earned the award twice for protecting families who had to leave their homelands. Large global bodies like the United Nations have also received the honor for keeping nations cooperating together.
The Meaning of the Peace Prize
The world can sometimes face difficult arguments and disagreements. The Nobel Peace Prize reminds everyone that talking, listening, and treating others fairly is always the best path forward. Whether helping refugees, teaching children, or stopping conflicts, each winner shows that courage can make our planet a better home.
See also
In Spanish: Premio Nobel de la Paz para niños
- Gandhi Peace Prize
- Sakharov Prize
- Mosaddegh Prize
