What is The Nobel Peace Prize and why does it matter?
After it was announced that journalist Maria Ressa became the country's first Nobel Peace Prize winner, social media was immediately awash with reactions. Her name rose up on the trending topics, and leaders from all over the world began to send their congratulations.
The ensuing hubbub certainly underscored what a tremendous achievement winning the Nobel Peace Prize is, but if you're still unclear as to why it is so important, here are some important details to remember.
1. The Nobel Peace Prize is just one of the Nobel Prizes given annually.
Aside from the Nobel Peace Prize, the other prizes awarded annually are the Nobel Prizes for Physics, Chemistry, Medicine, and Literature. The Nobel Peace Prize is awarded to those who have “done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses.”
The first awards were given in 1901, with Jean Henri Dunant and Frédéric Passy as co-winners. Jean Henri Dunant was awarded for his founding of the International Red Cross Movement, while Frédéric Passy was awarded for founding the Peace League and his work with Jean Henri Dunant in the Alliance for Order and Civilization.
2. The Nobel Peace Prize is given to individuals and organizations
Since 1901, 109 individuals and 28 organizations have received the Nobel Peace Prize. Some organizations have been awarded multiple times, like the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
Prominent individual winners of the Nobel Peace Prize include United States Presidents Barack Obama and Jimmy Carter, former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, and former President of South Africa Nelson Mandela.
3. The Nobel Peace Prize comes with financial rewards
When one wins the Nobel Peace Prize, they are awarded a diploma, a medal, and a document confirming the cash prize, which is currently at a little over $1 million. In case of multiple winners like with Maria Ressa, the cash prize will be split between the winners.
4. The Nobel Peace Prize awarding ceremony is held yearly in Oslo
Unlike the other Nobel Prizes which are awarded in Stockholm, Sweden, the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded in Oslo. Since 2020, it has been in the University of Oslo's Atrium. It has previously been awarded in Oslo City Hall, the Norwegian Nobel Institute, and the Parliament.
5. There have been years when the Nobel Peace Prize was not awarded
No Nobel Prizes were awarded in 1914, 1915, 1916, 1918, 1923, 1924, and 1928. Other years when no Nobel Prizes were awarded were in 1932, 1939, 1940, all the way to 1943. Several years have also seen no prizes awarded. When this happens, the prize money is often allotted to the Main Fund and the Special Fund of the Nobel Organization.
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Check out the individual winners of the Nobel Peace Prize from 2010 to 2021 in the gallery below.