As the Nobel Peace Prize announcement approaches, excitement is mounting among bookies and fans of international diplomacy. This year, former President Donald Trump stands out as one of the most high-profile and controversial contenders for the prestigious award. On Friday, the Norwegian Nobel Committee will reveal the winner, who will be honored for their significant contributions to fraternity among nations, the reduction of standing armies, and the promotion of peace through congresses.
The Nobel Peace Prize was established in accordance with the wishes of Alfred Nobel, a Swedish inventor and businessman. In his 1895 will, Nobel outlined his desire for a portion of his fortune to be awarded to individuals or organizations that excel in various fields, including peace. The first awards took place in 1901, and the tradition continues with announcements every October and a formal ceremony in December. Additionally, in 1968, the Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences was introduced, further expanding the Nobel legacy.
Each year, thousands of people have the opportunity to nominate candidates for the Nobel Peace Prize. However, individuals cannot nominate themselves. Eligible nominators include members of national governments, officials from international peace organizations, university professors, and previous laureates. While a Swedish committee decides the winners of four of the prizes, the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded by a five-member committee appointed by the Norwegian parliament. This committee conducts secret deliberations for months to narrow down the candidates before selecting the final recipient.
Throughout its history, the Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to many esteemed figures, including former South African presidents Nelson Mandela and F.W. de Klerk in 1993 for their roles in ending apartheid. Other notable recipients include Martin Luther King Jr., Mother Teresa, the Dalai Lama, and Malala Yousafzai. Interestingly, the prize has also gone to lesser-known individuals and groups, such as the 2022 awardee, Nihon Hidankyo, a grassroots movement of atomic bomb survivors from Japan.
The awarding of the prize has often sparked controversy. For instance, former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger received the prize in 1973 alongside North Vietnam's chief negotiator, Le Duc Tho, for their role in the Paris Peace Accords. While Tho declined the award, many criticized the decision to honor Kissinger, viewing him as a warmonger. Similarly, Barack Obama was awarded the prize in 2009, just months into his presidency, leading to questions about the timing of the decision.
This year, a total of 338 candidates have been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, comprising 244 individuals and 94 organizations. Among the most talked-about nominees is Donald Trump, who is currently involved in negotiations aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict in Gaza. While the Nobel website does not disclose nominees, some nominators have publicly shared their choices. Notably, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have confirmed they nominated Trump.
Trump has publicly expressed his belief that he deserves the prize, claiming significant achievements in ending wars this year, although fact-checkers have disputed some of his statements regarding ongoing conflicts. Earlier in the year, he stated, “They will never give me a Nobel Peace Prize. I deserve it, but they will never give it to me.”
In addition to Trump, several other names are generating buzz as potential winners of this year’s award. These include Sudan's Emergency Response Rooms, a volunteer network providing aid amid the country's civil war, and Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny. However, experts suggest that a potential ceasefire in Gaza may come too late to influence the committee's decision, which tends to favor sustained peace efforts over immediate political resolutions.
As we await the announcement from the Norwegian Nobel Committee, the world watches closely to see who will be honored with the Nobel Peace Prize this year, continuing a tradition that celebrates the tireless efforts of individuals and organizations striving for global peace.
