Tag Archives: World peace

Nobel Peace Prize

Nobel Peace Prize

One of the 5 Nobel Prizes established by Swedish armaments manufacturer, inventor, and industrialist, Alfred Nobel, was called the Nobel Peace Prize. Since the early 90’s, this prize has been awarded by a 5-member Norwegian Nobel Committee in Oslo City Hall, on 10th December every year (the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death).

Who Is the Nobel Peace Prize Awarded To?

Since December of 1901 (119 years ago), the Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded on an annual basis (with a few exceptions) to those who have done the most or the best work that inspired togetherness between nations.

In addition to this, this prestigious award is also deserved by those who helped reduce or abolish standing armies while promoting or holding peace congresses. Of course, due to the political nature of this prize, most awards granted throughout history were subject to numerous controversies.

How Are the Nobel Peace Prize Winners Nominated?

In the words of Alfred Nobel, the Peace Prize will be awarded to people who, “shall 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”.

Since World War 2, the Nobel Peace Prize has been exclusively reserved for four main areas of honor:

  • Efforts related to human rights and democracy
  • Peace negotiations
  • Arms control and disarmament
  • Efforts that are aimed towards creating a more peaceful and better organized world

Bonus: For 2020, there are 318 candidates for the Nobel Peace Prize of which 107 are organizations and 211 individuals. 318 nominations also happen to be the 4th highest number of candidates ever. The record for highest number of candidates was set in 2016 to as high as 376 candidates.

The names of the nominees and nominators, except the winner’s, are not revealed until 50 years have elapsed since the award.

Some of the Most Well-Known Winners in History

  • 2017: The International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN)
  • 2013: Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)
  • 2012: The European Union
  • 2009: Barack H. Obama
  • 2001: Kofi Annan
  • 1994: Yasser Arafat
  • 1993: Nelson Mandela
  • 1988: The United Nations Peace-Keeping Forces
  • 1984: Desmond Tutu
  • 1979: Mother Teresa

 

Peace Corps: Diplomacy in Action

Doves, the peace makers

A typical Peace Corps volunteer can be described as friendly, learned and worldly. Fluent in foreign languages and equipped with great anecdotes from around the world, Peace Corps volunteers stand apart from everyone else. One has to wonder what exactly is the Peace Crops and what does it do to make such refined members.

Peace Corps is a volunteer program run by the US government. Officially established in March 1961 during the presidency of John F. Kennedy, the program aims to “promote world peace and friendship” by helping countries in need of trained manpower, creating understanding of American people in other countries as well as appreciation of other countries in America.

Peace Corps volunteers are US citizens over the age of 18 who are deployed to different parts of the world and expected to work with the local schools, non-profits and small scale enterprises. The two current focal points of the program are education and health.

As per recent figures, 41% of volunteers are delegated to educational programs while 20% work in health-related fields. Deployment takes place after three months of training. During their service, volunteers are given an allowance to live in the same lifestyle as the local people. Transportation, medical care and dental care are covered by the program. The term of service is 24 months with an option to request an extension upon completion of term.

From their service, Peace Corps members not only get experience in the socio-economic development sector but also become global citizens committed to making a positive difference. Volunteers gain a newfound appreciation of the world’s diversity as well as an understanding of global cooperation and America’s responsibility as a developed nation towards countries in their developing stages. The richness of the experiences gained during service is the reason why more than 230,000 Americans have served in the Peace Corps. Returning Peace Corps volunteers speak about their experiences and advocate for the program across the country.

Although Peace Corps volunteers are mostly young, with the average volunteer’s age being 28, the program has no age barrier. Some volunteers have served during the span of many decades – both in their youth and in their later years.

On the whole, Peace Corps is a much needed program especially considering the current global political situation. The program shows that diplomacy in action is not a zero-sum game and when the focus is cooperation, it can lead to lasting peace and global development.

 

Author Information:

Amita Vadlamudi is a prolific blogger on many subjects. Following is the list of some of the web sites that Ms. Vadlamudi publishes to and has a presence on.

Amitavadlamudi.com
Amitavadlamudi.net
Alternion
Edocr