How does the Nobel Peace Prize work? - Adeline Cuvelier and Toril Rokseth

TED-Ed
6 Oct 201606:15
EducationalLearning
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TLDRThe Nobel Peace Prize, established by Swedish chemist Alfred Nobel, honors individuals and organizations promoting peace, with criteria including disarmament and brotherhood. Awarded annually on Nobel's death anniversary, the prize comprises a gold medal, diploma, and cash prize, often donated to humanitarian causes. The selection process is secretive, with nominations from a wide range of eligible nominators and a shortlist created by the Norwegian Nobel Committee. The prize has evolved to recognize a diverse global community of peacemakers.

Takeaways
  • πŸ† The Nobel Peace Prize is among the world's most prestigious awards, honoring celebrated international figures and organizations for their contributions to peace.
  • πŸ” Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite, was the originator of the Nobel Prizes, including the Peace Prize, which was established in his will after his death.
  • πŸ’‘ Nobel's connection to peace might be linked to his friendship with Bertha Von Suttner, an Austrian pacifist and the first woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize.
  • πŸ“ The Peace Prize has three original criteria: disarmament, peace congresses, and brotherhood between nations, which have since been expanded to include human rights and negotiations.
  • 🀝 The Peace Prize can be shared among multiple laureates, with about a third of the awards having been divided between two or three recipients.
  • πŸ“œ Nominations for the Peace Prize come from a select group, including national assembly members, state government officials, university rectors, professors, and previous laureates.
  • πŸ•΅οΈβ€β™‚οΈ The nomination process and the identity of nominators remain confidential for 50 years, as exemplified by the delayed revelation of Martin Luther King Jr.'s nominators.
  • ❌ The Peace Prize cannot be awarded posthumously, and there have been instances where the prize was not awarded to symbolize a 'missing laureate', such as in 1948 after Mahatma Gandhi's death.
  • πŸ” The selection process for the Peace Prize is conducted by the Norwegian Nobel Committee, who create a shortlist from over 300 nominations and announce the laureate in October.
  • πŸ… The award includes a gold medal, a diploma, and a cash prize, which has recently been 8 million Swedish kronor, or about a million US dollars, often donated to humanitarian causes by the laureates.
  • 🌐 The Nobel Peace Prize has evolved to become more global, with laureates now coming from diverse backgrounds and including more women and organizations.
Q & A
  • What is the Nobel Peace Prize?

    -The Nobel Peace Prize is one of the most prestigious awards in the world, honoring individuals and organizations for their efforts in promoting peace and resolving conflicts.

  • Who was Alfred Nobel and why is he significant to the Nobel Peace Prize?

    -Alfred Nobel was a Swedish chemist known for inventing dynamite. He left his fortune to establish the Nobel Prizes, including the Peace Prize, illustrating his commitment to science and literature, as well as his interest in peace.

  • What is the origin of the Nobel Peace Prize and its connection to Alfred Nobel's legacy?

    -The Nobel Peace Prize originated from the will of Alfred Nobel, who specified that his fortune should be used to establish prizes in various fields, including peace, reflecting his lifelong interests.

  • Why might Alfred Nobel have established the Peace Prize?

    -While it's speculated that Nobel may have established the Peace Prize out of regret for his war-related inventions, historians often attribute his interest in peace to his friendship with Austrian pacifist Bertha Von Suttner.

  • Who was Bertha Von Suttner and how is she connected to the Nobel Peace Prize?

    -Bertha Von Suttner was an Austrian pacifist, a leader of the international peace movement, and a friend of Alfred Nobel. She was the first woman to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1905.

  • What are the three criteria outlined by Nobel's will for the Peace Prize?

    -Nobel's will outlined three criteria for the Peace Prize: disarmament, peace congresses, and brotherhood between nations.

  • How has the interpretation of the Nobel Peace Prize criteria evolved over time?

    -The original criteria have been expanded to include other ways of promoting peace, such as human rights and negotiations.

  • Can the Nobel Peace Prize be shared by multiple laureates?

    -Yes, about a third of Nobel Peace Prizes have been shared by two or three laureates, indicating collaborative efforts in peacebuilding.

  • Who can submit a valid nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize?

    -Valid nominations can come from members of national assemblies, state governments, international courts, university rectors, professors of social sciences, history, philosophy, law, theology, and previous Peace Prize recipients.

  • Why is the nomination process for the Nobel Peace Prize kept secret?

    -All information about nominations remains secret for 50 years to protect the integrity of the process and the individuals involved.

  • How is the Nobel Peace Prize laureate selected?

    -The selection process is carried out by the five appointed members of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, who review nominations, create a short list, and publicly announce the laureate in October.

  • What does the Nobel Peace Prize consist of and what is its monetary value?

    -The Nobel Peace Prize includes a gold medal inscribed with 'Pro pace et fraternitate gentium,' a diploma, and a cash prize, which has recently been 8 million Swedish kronor, or about a million US dollars.

  • How have the Nobel Peace Prize recipients changed over the years?

    -In recent years, the Nobel Peace Prize has become more global, with a more diverse range of recipients, including organizations and individuals from various regions and backgrounds.

Outlines
00:00
πŸ† Nobel Peace Prize Origins and Significance

The Nobel Peace Prize is one of the most prestigious global awards, honoring renowned figures and organizations for their contributions to peace. Established by Swedish chemist Alfred Nobel, who was known for his invention of dynamite, the prize was part of a larger legacy that included awards for physics, chemistry, medicine, and literature. Nobel's fortune was to be used for these prizes, reflecting his dedication to science and literature, as well as a speculated interest in peace, possibly influenced by his friendship with Austrian pacifist Bertha Von Suttner, the first woman to win the Peace Prize. The prize is awarded based on criteria such as disarmament, peace congresses, and brotherhood between nations, which have evolved to encompass human rights and negotiations. The Peace Prize is unique in being administered in Norway and can be shared among multiple laureates. Nominations come from a select group of individuals, including government officials, university rectors, professors, and previous laureates, with the process and nominees remaining confidential for 50 years. The selection is conducted by the Norwegian Nobel Committee, culminating in an announcement in October and an awards ceremony on December 10th, Nobel's death anniversary. The prize includes a gold medal, a diploma, and a substantial cash prize, often donated to humanitarian causes by the laureates.

05:03
🌏 Diversification and Impact of Nobel Peace Prize Laureates

The Nobel Peace Prize has undergone significant diversification, moving beyond its historical focus on European and North American male recipients to become more globally inclusive. A total of 126 laureates have been recognized, comprising 87 men and 16 women, as well as 23 organizations. Notable laureates include Desmond Tutu for his fight against apartheid in South Africa, Jody Williams for her efforts to ban landmines, Rigoberta MenchΓΊ Tum for advocating social justice and indigenous rights, Martti Ahtisaari for resolving international conflicts, and Aung San Suu Kyi for her nonviolent push for democracy and human rights in Myanmar. These individuals have inspired and challenged the world, showing that there are various paths to achieving peace. The prize has evolved to acknowledge a broader range of peace-promoting activities, reflecting a more inclusive and global perspective on the pursuit of peace.

Mindmap
Keywords
πŸ’‘Nobel Peace Prize
The Nobel Peace Prize is one of the most prestigious international awards, honoring individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to peace and conflict resolution. In the video, it is mentioned as a symbol of global recognition for efforts in promoting peace, with examples including the award to Bertha Von Suttner, the first woman to receive the prize.
πŸ’‘Alfred Nobel
Alfred Nobel was a Swedish chemist, inventor, and businessman, best known for inventing dynamite. The video script discusses his legacy and the establishment of the Nobel Prizes through his will, illustrating his commitment to science, literature, and peace, despite the common misconception that the peace prize was created out of regret for his war-related inventions.
πŸ’‘Bertha Von Suttner
Bertha Von Suttner was an Austrian pacifist and a leader in the international peace movement. The script connects her decade-long friendship with Alfred Nobel to his interest in the peace cause, and she is highlighted as the first woman to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1905.
πŸ’‘Disarmament
Disarmament refers to the act of reducing, limiting, or eliminating weapons, particularly in the context of international relations and peace efforts. In the video, it is one of the three criteria outlined by Nobel's will for the Peace Prize, emphasizing the importance of reducing military arsenals to promote peace.
πŸ’‘Peace Congresses
Peace Congresses are gatherings or meetings aimed at discussing and promoting peace and conflict resolution. The script mentions them as another criterion for the Nobel Peace Prize, indicating the importance of diplomatic efforts in achieving peace.
πŸ’‘Brotherhood between Nations
Brotherhood between Nations is a concept that promotes unity, understanding, and cooperation among different countries. The video script includes it as one of the initial criteria for the Nobel Peace Prize, highlighting the importance of fostering international relationships for peace.
πŸ’‘Human Rights
Human Rights are the basic rights and freedoms to which all individuals are entitled, without discrimination. The video explains that the criteria for the Nobel Peace Prize have been expanded to include efforts in promoting human rights, reflecting the broader scope of peace and justice.
πŸ’‘Nomination Process
The Nomination Process for the Nobel Peace Prize is a formal procedure where eligible nominators, such as members of national assemblies or previous laureates, propose candidates for the prize. The script details the process, emphasizing the secrecy surrounding nominations for 50 years, as illustrated by the delayed revelation of Martin Luther King Jr.'s nominators.
πŸ’‘Norwegian Nobel Committee
The Norwegian Nobel Committee is the entity responsible for the selection process of the Nobel Peace Prize. The video describes the committee's role in narrowing down candidates from a large pool of nominations and the chairman's responsibility for announcing the laureate in October.
πŸ’‘Posthumous Awards
Posthumous Awards are honors given to individuals after their death. The script clarifies that the Nobel Peace Prize cannot be awarded posthumously, using the example of the 1948 decision not to award the prize as a symbolic gesture towards the missing laureate, Mahatma Gandhi.
πŸ’‘Global Representation
Global Representation refers to the inclusion of diverse individuals and organizations from around the world in a given context. The video notes a shift towards more global representation in the Nobel Peace Prize, with recent laureates coming from various regions and backgrounds, such as Desmond Tutu and Aung San Suu Kyi.
Highlights

The Nobel Peace Prize honors celebrated international figures and organizations for their contributions to peace.

Swedish chemist Alfred Nobel, known for inventing dynamite, left his fortune for establishing the Nobel Prizes.

Alfred Nobel's will specified five prizes, including one for peace, illustrating his commitment to science and literature.

Speculations suggest Nobel's peace prize was created out of regret for his inventions' use in warfare, but this is unconfirmed.

Alfred Nobel's interest in peace may have been influenced by his friendship with Austrian pacifist Bertha Von Suttner.

Bertha Von Suttner, a peace activist, became the first woman to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize posthumously.

The Nobel Peace Prize has three original criteria: disarmament, peace congresses, and brotherhood between nations.

The Peace Prize can be shared among multiple laureates, with about a third of the awards having multiple recipients.

Nominations for the Peace Prize can come from a wide range of qualified individuals, including national assembly members and university professors.

Nomination details for the Nobel Peace Prize remain confidential for 50 years.

Jane Addams was nominated 91 times before winning the Nobel Peace Prize for her work in social work.

The Peace Prize has not been awarded posthumously, except in the case of a missing laureate like Mahatma Gandhi.

The selection process for the Nobel Peace Prize is conducted by the Norwegian Nobel Committee over the course of a year.

The Nobel Peace Prize ceremony is held annually on December 10th, the anniversary of Alfred Nobel's death.

The prize includes a gold medal, a diploma, and a cash prize, which has recently been 8 million Swedish kronor.

Many laureates choose to donate their prize money to humanitarian or social causes.

The Nobel Peace Prize has evolved to become more global, with a diverse range of laureates from various backgrounds and regions.

Notable laureates include Desmond Tutu, Jody Williams, Rigoberta MenchΓΊ Tum, Martti Ahtisaari, and Aung San Suu Kyi for their significant contributions to peace and human rights.

Transcripts
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