“For his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between people” This is how Norwegian Nobel Prize Committee has described President Barrack Obama’s achievements for world peace. As soon as the announcement of the prize was made, controversy gripped the opinion centers of the world about his selection as a candidate for the award. It has been only eight months since he has taken the office and the prize is awarded for the past efforts not the future potential of the candidates.
Much of the selection criteria of the candidates are shrouded in mystery. So much, so that the nominations are kept secret for 50 years. Unlike all the other Nobel prizes which are decided in Sweden and also awards ceremony that takes place in Stockholm – Sweden, the Nobel Peace prize is decided and awarded in Norway. Nobel Peace prize committee constitutes of five members, which are chosen by Norwegian Parliament. The committee’s first task regarding the selection of candidates is to send in the letters to distinguished persons globally requesting them to appoint candidates. By February the nominations are collected.
Once the committee has nominees, the short listing begins. The short list is ready for review by August and by October the finalist is announced to lift the prize in December in a ceremony in Oslo.
Unlike Nobel Prizes for other areas, the Nobel Peace prize has much to do with the subjective opinion of the members responsible for deciding and finalizing the candidates. This year’s choice is not only a shock for the world community at large but also the academics in Norway. The debate has picked so much heat that newspapers in Norway are of the opinion that peace prize should also be decided in Sweden like other prizes.
Winner of Nobal Peace Prize
Comments