Nobel Peace Prize: Award Frequency Explained

by ADMIN 45 views
>

The Nobel Peace Prize, one of the most prestigious awards in the world, is awarded annually as per Alfred Nobel's will. But how often exactly does this happen?

Annual Award Ceremony

The Nobel Peace Prize is awarded every year, typically on December 10th, the anniversary of Alfred Nobel's death. The Norwegian Nobel Committee selects the laureate(s) and makes the announcement in Oslo, Norway.

Selection Process

The selection process involves:

  • Nominations: Received from qualified nominators worldwide.
  • Review: The Norwegian Nobel Committee reviews these nominations.
  • Deliberation: The committee deliberates and selects the laureate(s).
  • Announcement: The winner(s) are announced, followed by the award ceremony.

Irregularities in Awarding

Despite being an annual award, there have been years when the Nobel Peace Prize was not awarded. This has occurred for several reasons, including:

  • Lack of Suitable Nominations: The committee may feel that none of the nominations meet the criteria set out in Nobel's will.
  • War or Political Turmoil: Global events can sometimes make it inappropriate to award the prize.

Years Without an Award

Notably, the Nobel Peace Prize has been withheld in certain years, particularly during the World Wars. For instance, it was not awarded during:

  • 1914-1916
  • 1918
  • 1923-1924
  • 1928
  • 1932
  • 1939-1943
  • 1948
  • 1955-1956
  • 1966-1967
  • 1972

Multiple Laureates

It's also worth noting that the Nobel Peace Prize can be awarded to multiple individuals or organizations in a single year. This is often done to recognize collaborative efforts in promoting peace.

Notable Examples

  • 1994: Yasser Arafat, Shimon Peres, and Yitzhak Rabin shared the prize for their efforts in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.
  • 2011: Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Leymah Gbowee, and Tawakkol Karman were jointly awarded for their non-violent struggle for the safety of women and for women’s rights to full participation in peace-building work.

Conclusion

The Nobel Peace Prize is primarily an annual event, but there are exceptions based on the judgment of the Norwegian Nobel Committee. It remains a significant recognition of 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.

Further Reading: For more detailed information, refer to the official Nobel Prize website.