There is already an entry on this topic, but the discussion in that diary has turned into something different entirely. So please forgive this repeat entry – I’ll try to add some substance.
The Nobel Prizes were instituted by the Swedish inventor and industrialist Alfred Nobel. You can read a succinct bio on him in this link. Two of his most important inventions were the blasting cap and dynamite, which established his fame and wealth.
At his death his worldwide business empire consisted of more than 90 factories manufacturing explosives and ammunition. The opening of his will, which he had drawn up in Paris on Nov. 27, 1895, and had deposited in a bank in Stockholm, contained a great surprise for his family, friends, and the general public. He had always been generous in humanitarian and scientific philanthropies, and he left the bulk of his fortune in trust to establish what came to be the most highly regarded of international awards, the Nobel Prizes.
We can only speculate about the reasons for Nobel’s establishment of the prizes that bear his name. He was reticent about himself, and he confided in no one about his decision in the months preceding his death. The most plausible assumption is that a bizarre incident in 1888 may have triggered the train of reflection that culminated in his bequest for the Nobel Prizes. That year Alfred’s brother Ludvig had died while staying in Cannes, France. The French newspapers reported Ludvig’s death but confused him with Alfred, and one paper sported the headline “Le marchand de la mort est mort” (“The merchant of death is dead.”) Perhaps Alfred Nobel established the prizes to avoid precisely the sort of posthumous reputation suggested by this premature obituary. It is certain that the actual awards he instituted reflect his lifelong interest in the fields of physics, chemistry, physiology, and literature. There is also abundant evidence that his friendship with the prominent Austrian pacifist Bertha von Suttner inspired him to establish the prize for peace.
Since 1901, the Nobel Foundation in Stockholm has awarded the prizes for achievements in physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine and for literature. The Nobel Peace Prize is administered by the Norwegian Nobel Institute and is awarded by a Committee of 5 appointed by the Norwegian Parliament. Why a Norwegian Nobel Committee? Check the link.
Finally, who can nominate:
Any one of the following persons is entitled to submit proposals:
· members of national assemblies and governments;
· members of international courts of law;
· university chancellors; university professors of social science, history, philosophy, law and theology;
· leaders of peace research institutes and institutes of foreign affairs;
· former Nobel Peace Prize laureates;
· board members of organisations that have received the Nobel Peace Prize;
· present and past members of the Norwegian Nobel Committee; (committee members must present their nomination at the latest at the first committee meeting after February 1);
· former advisers at the Norwegian Nobel Institute.
Observing the rules given in the statutes of the Nobel Foundation, the Committee does not publish the names of candidates. However, those making nominations are free to publish.
Yesterday saw the news that two Norwegian parliamentarians have nominated Al Gore and Sheila Watt-Cloutier for the Nobel Peace Prize. They are from opposite sides of the political spectrum; Brende is an MP from the Conservative Party, while Sørensen is of the Socialist Left Party.
The fight for the global climate is a fight for peace, say members of parliament Børge Brende and Heidi Sørensen, and they have nominated former US Vice-president Al Gore for a share of the Nobel Peace Prize.
The two green-thinking MPs suggest that Gore share the prize with Inuit Sheila Watt-Cloutier, in recognition for their efforts to put the danger posed by climate change on the global political agenda.
“This is clearly, absolutely, one of the important efforts to achieve conflict prevention. Climate change can lead to enormous flows of refugees on a scale the world has never seen before. Fighting climate change is immensely important work for global peace,” Heidi Sørensen, member of parliament for the Socialist Left Party (SV), told Aftenposten.
A worthy nomination in my opinion – it is imperative to continue the focus on global warming – the greatest threat to us and future generations. That the nomination more or less coincided with the release of the UN sponsored report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is an added advantage.
Al Gore is a transformed person since 2000, he’d be a great candidate in 2008 and I would be glad to see him run.
[Ed] Fixed silly spelling error.
