The Nobel Peace Prize 2021 is turning out to be the most different and interesting of them all. The sole reason is the extremely diverse nominees for the award. Today, we’ll understand why and how the Nobel Peace Prize is given as well as look into some of the those nominees that’ll make the talking points of this event. Our focus will be on 4 of the nominees who’e been trending since a long time. They’re those whose victory will cause a meltdown on the net.
HISTORY OF NOBEL PRIZES
The Nobel Peace Prize is just 1 of the five prizes that make up the NOBEL PRIZES. Thus, before we look into our issue for today, it’s important we 1st understand the history and lore behind this prestigious award.
In his will in 1895, Swedish Engineer ALFRED NOBEL expressed his desire. This desire being that majority of his wealth be put aside to sponsor 5 prizes. He wanted these to commemorate “those who, during the preceding year, shall have conferred the greatest benefit on mankind.” Thus, since 10 December 1901 (Nobel’s 5th Death Anniversary) 5 awards came into being:-
- Nobel Prize for Physics
- Nobel Prize for Chemistry
- Nobel Prize for Physiology/Medicine
- Nobel Prize for Literature
- Nobel Peace Prize
In 1968, the Bank of Sweden came up with the SVERIGES RIKSBANK PRIZE IN ECONOMIC SCIENCES (awarded in 1969). Officially, it’s not a 6th Nobel but winners are announced with the Nobel winners and this too is in memory of Alfred Nobel. Thus, it’s identified with the award. Many people describe this as a Pseudo-Nobel.
NOBEL PEACE PRIZE: THE WHATs and WHYs??
Our focus today is on the Nobel Peace Prize. Thus, it’s important to understand the significance of this award before looking into the nominees.
In his will, Nobel stipulated 3 Swedish and 1 Norwegian institution to award these prizes. Consequently, the sole Norwegian Institution called Norwegian Nobel Committee based in Oslo gives out the Peace Prize. Nobel Peace Prize is only awarded to those people who have contributed significantly to: –
- Fraternity Between Nations
- Reduction/Abolition in standing armies
- Promoting and Holding Peace Congresses
- Members of national assemblies and national governments (cabinet members/ministers) of sovereign states
- University professors, professors emeriti and associate professors of history, social sciences, law, philosophy, theology, and religion; university rectors and university directors (or their equivalents); directors of peace research institutes and foreign policy institutes
- Members of The International Court of Justice in The Hague and The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague
- Members of the International Board of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom
- Those who have been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize
- Members of l’Institut de Droit International
Additionally, in order to get a Nobel Peace Prize, you need to be recommended by members or former members of the Norwegian Nobel Committee. Furthermore, recommendations can also come from: –
THE INTERESTING NOMINEES
Now that we know about the history and significance of these awards, we have more context as we look into some of the trending nominees here. According to recent reports, former US President Donald Trump, student climate activist Greta Thunberg and the now famous Alexei Navalny (for his emphasis on peaceful dissent in the face of hostile authority) are in the race.
An interesting and somewhat controversial name in the nominee list is that of W.H.O. The battle against Covid continues as vaccination drives are taking speed. Thus, the primary health organization at the forefront of this battle deserves the Nobel Peace Prize. Under it’s COVAX Programme, W.H.O plans to make the vaccine available in poor countries as well.
Thus, we see that for 2021’s Prize, we have all kinds of people competing. From a steadfast rebel to an angry concerned climatist; from a leader who doesn’t care about political correctness to an organization which has been under the radar since March last year. Thunberg’s victory will be the least shocking as people tend to perceive her rants and digs to concern for a greater cause. Her climate agenda is a strong point.
Considering the recent few weeks, Navalny’s chances are looking quite strong. This will be a much talked about event as it’ll be the ultimate slap on Putin’s face. Said incident can even insinuate the already 4000-people strong protest in Russia. W.H.O’s victory will only be trending as the anti W.H.O lobby will rain down on this decision like hell.
However, the craziest and most trending news will be DONALD J TRUMP’s victory. This will infuriate the entire liberal intelligensia. Additionally, him defeating people activists like Thunberg for such a coveted prize is a topic too big to die in a mere 24-48 hours.
FINAL WORDS
This is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated events of 2021. What adds to the intrigue is that the Norwegian Committee does not reveal the award givers as well as the unsuccessful nominees. This is a really closed and secret process, since the very beginning.
Possibilities are that none of these trending celebrities get the award and it instead goes to a relatively unheard name. However, this award is going to make the news if any of the above 4 end up winning. In today’s highly fragmented and polarized world, we can accept the internet to go crazy over the victory of any of these 4.
In fact, the victory of someone like Trump can even lead to allegations on the committee itself. People will definitely call these awards rigged if that ends up happening. Similar will be the case for W.H.O as well. Many criticize the W.H.O’s handling of the pandemic. It prohibited travel restrictions at a time when it was necessary to contain the spread. Additionally, some controversial tweets during the lock down attracted the ire of many.
However, one thing we all need to promise during this is to respect the mandate. Whoever receives the Prize come October, deserves it in all it’s glory. All nominees have given their utmost contribution towards ensuring peace and thus, deserve recognition in their own right. Thus, let’s wait and see how things unfold.