The Nobel Peace Prize is awarded based on specific criteria established in the will of Alfred Nobel, the founder of the Nobel Prizes. Here are the key criteria:
- Promotion of Peace: The prize is awarded to individuals or organizations that have made significant contributions to the promotion of peace. This can include efforts to resolve conflicts, prevent wars, or foster international cooperation.
- Outstanding Achievements: The prize recognizes outstanding achievements in peace efforts. This could involve diplomacy, humanitarian work, advocacy for disarmament, or initiatives to improve human rights.
- Impact on Society: The recipient’s work should have a measurable impact on society, contributing to the reduction of violence or the promotion of peaceful coexistence among nations and peoples.
- Nominations and Selection: Candidates are nominated by qualified individuals or organizations, including members of national governments, university professors, and previous laureates. The Nobel Committee reviews nominations and selects the laureate based on the aforementioned criteria.
- Timing and Relevance: The prize can be awarded for past achievements or for ongoing efforts that have the potential to lead to significant peace-building outcomes in the future.
The Nobel Committee has considerable discretion in interpreting these criteria, which can lead to varying opinions on the merits of specific awardees.
