The Nobel Peace Prize

Peace is one of the five prize areas mentioned in Alfred Nobel's will. The will was, however, partly incomplete. Nobel simply stated that prizes be given to those who, during the preceding year, "shall have conferred the greatest benefit on mankind" and that one part be given to the person 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." He also designated a committee of five persons to be elected by the Norwegian Storting (Norwegian Parliament) to reward the champions of peace and it was his express wish that in awarding the Prize, "no consideration shall be given to the nationality of the candidates, but that the most worthy shall receive it, whether he be Scandinavian or not."

  The Statutes of the Nobel Foundation promulgated on June 29, 1900, provide general guidelines for the awarding of the Prize.
     

Nomination and Selection

For more information about the Prize Awarding Institution for the Nobel Peace Prize, go to the homepage of the Norwegian Nobel Committee  

Take a Virtual Tour of the Norwegian Nobel Institute

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Last modified August 30, 2000
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