Who Gets the Nobel Peace Prize? Complete Guide to Selection Process

The Nobel Peace Prize stands as one of the world’s most prestigious awards. This honor goes to people and organizations who work hard to create peace between countries. But who exactly receives this important prize, and how are winners chosen?

What Is the Nobel Peace Prize?

The Nobel Peace Prize recognizes outstanding efforts to build world peace. Winners receive this award for their work toward achieving a world free of nuclear weapons and demonstrating through witness testimony that such weapons must never be used again. The prize honors those who:

• Improve relationships between nations
• Reduce or eliminate military forces
• Promote global peace and understanding
• Work to prevent conflicts and wars

This award is part of the Nobel Prize family, which also includes prizes for chemistry, physics, medicine, and literature. The main goal is to celebrate people who have made significant contributions to humanity.

Who Can Win the Nobel Peace Prize?

All living persons and active organizations or institutions are eligible candidates for the Nobel Peace Prize. The award can go to:

• Individual people who promote peace
• Organizations working for global harmony
• Institutions that fight for human rights
• Groups that help solve international conflicts

Winners are called “laureates,” a name that comes from ancient Greece. Back then, winners wore wreaths of laurel leaves as symbols of victory.

How Are Winners Selected?

The selection process follows strict rules set by the Nobel Foundation. The recipient is selected by the Norwegian Nobel Committee, a five-member committee appointed by the Parliament of Norway.

The Nomination Process

Any person who meets the nomination criteria may submit a nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize. However, certain rules apply:

• Nominations come from university professors, scientists, and past Nobel winners
• People cannot nominate themselves
• Valid nominations must be submitted no later than January 31
• The names of nominees cannot be revealed until 50 years later

Decision Making

By the beginning of October, the Committee makes its decision through a simple majority vote. The decision is final and without appeal. The announcement happens in October, and the award ceremony takes place on December 10th each year.

Special Rules and Facts

The Nobel Peace Prize has unique features that make it different from other awards:

• A maximum of three people can share one prize
• Some years, no prize is given at all
• This happened during World War I and World War II
• When no prize is awarded, the money is saved for the next year
• The prize award ceremony is held in Oslo City Hall

Recent Example

The 2024 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Nihon Hidankyo, for their activism against nuclear weapons, assisted by survivors of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. This shows how the prize continues to recognize efforts that promote peace and prevent future conflicts.

Why It Matters

The Nobel Peace Prize shines a spotlight on important work for world peace. It encourages people and organizations to keep fighting for a better world. The prize also brings attention to serious global issues that need solutions.

Winners receive not just recognition but also financial support to continue their peaceful work. This helps them reach more people and make an even bigger impact on world peace.

The Nobel Peace Prize reminds us that ordinary people can do extraordinary things to make the world more peaceful and safe for everyone.