This year there was 197 nominees and some of the hottest candidates was; former German Chancellor Helmut Kohl; Algerian president, Abdelaziz Bouteflika; Hu Jia, Chinese activist and dissident; another Chinese dissident Wei Jingsheng; Israel’s Mordechai Vanunu; Vietnamese monk Thich Quang Do; The African Union and even Bob Geldof.
The Nobel Committee consists of 5 members appointed by The Norwegian parliament. The committees’ composition shall reflect the relative strength of the political parties in the parliament. Members of the parliament have not been allowed to be member of the committee since 1977.
The Nobel Committee shall be entirely independent in its work. The discussions about the candidates are kept secret and the members avoid participating in the public debate after the name of the winner is announced.
The winner this year was very deserved and of course we Norwegians are proud of it too – his great grandfather came from Norway: Martti Ahtisaari from Finland:
His most notable achievement was overseeing the 2005 reconciliation of the Indonesian government and Free Aceh Movement (GAM) rebels, bringing an end to a three-decade conflict that killed some 15,000 people.
Ahtisaari also helped lead Kosovo down the path toward independence, even though his intense mediation efforts failed to clinch a joint agreement between Serbia and Kosovo and Pristina earlier this year unilaterally declared independence.
Prior to his involvement in the Aceh talks, Ahtisaari was unfamiliar with Asian geopolitics, but widely respected as a gifted diplomat and outstanding negotiator.
He came to the negotiations after a Finnish businessman linked to the Jakarta elite was convinced the former Finnish president had what it took to bring new life to the apparently moribund peace process.
My regular readers might remember that my candidate from last year was the farther of the Internet: Vint Cerf. In your comment I would like to hear your suggestion for a candidate next year :-)
I’m not sure who. You see right now I look around the world and I do not see anyone who is a strong leader for peace. It’s easy to speak of peace, but difficult to follow through.
RennyBA
I do agree with you Maribeth, but let’s not lose hope!
Ahtisaari is a leading international negotiator. He has done an amazing job with many good results. The most important aspect is that he really shows the great roll that negotiations – not war- can play in international conflicts.
RennyBA
I do agree with you and also he is able to work with the grass roots movements and gain their trust. In that way he is unique too and diversify from other ‘great leaders’.
Well, I never heard of him before now. I don’t get out much do I. Have a great day and weekend. Big hug to you and Diane. :)
RennyBA
Well, better late than never then and of course I’m happy to spread the word.
Wishing you the same and with big hugs from both of us :)
I would nominate Andre Rieu as he is a great musician who promotes happiness and peace around the world… :)
enjoy your weekend Renny :)
RennyBA
Good choice Kim!
Thanks and I hope you enjoy at your end too :)
I regret that Esperanto did not receive the Nobel Peace Prize, because it is a much neglected topic. At least nine British MP’s nominated the language, for the Prize.
Solid arguments for Esperanto can be seen on the Youtube video, by Professor Piron, a former translator at the United Nations.
If you have time please check http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LV9XU
RennyBA
I do agree with you Brian. You know my saying: ‘Blogging connecting People‘. Esperanto would do it even more!
Thanks for sharing the vid.
I have always quite liked Ahtisaari. Now if only they could make him American and run him for presidency!
RennyBA
A good idea, however; maybe he can do a better job in UN where he works right now?
Hi Renny, I do not know all this candidates but I’m sure they are all worth to know……..I’m Just letting you know that I am shocked by very sad news (see my blog) not able to say more,
JoAnn’s D Eyes
RennyBA
I’m very sorry to hear about the loss of your cousins son – and what a tragedy.
Hi Renny…. glad to be back here… glad to see you are a die hard blogger who don’t take time off !
From your info he seems to have earned his medal!
RennyBA
Hi Sidney… good to see you back in Blogsphere again… have missed you, you know…. and your wonderful photo posts!
Ah yes, peacebroker extraordinaire! It’s well deserved…
RennyBA
I couldn’t agree with you more Robyn….
Martti did a beautiful job for the peace in the world! I remember your favourite, Vint Cerf, last year!
RennyBA
He did and I remember you supported my idea last year Claudie :)
Me ;-)
Ha ha ha…
RennyBA
Why not! :lol:
what a great post. Thanks for sharing.
for next year, i have no idea!
RennyBA
Thanks Duke – your welcome.
I tracked the Google-popularity of the rumored Noble Peace Prize nominees during the last 12 months. Interesting: Ahtisaari was anything but the most popular… See on my Word Face-Off blog.
i’ve read (in yahoo news) that people are more interested on who didn’t win. that it should have been either the nominee from vietnam or china
RennyBA
Yes, it always course discussion and debates and of course everyone is allowed to speak up their mind.
i will nominate you foe being an ambassador of goodwill, renny! :P
RennyBA
Thanks tutubi – what an honour :P
Wow, am I out of the loop entirely. Had no idea it was even going on right now…Color me sheepish!
RennyBA
Glad I could remind you then.
Sounds like it was well deserved and well awarded.
Have a great week!
RennyBA
It was – wishing you the same Jessica!
Hi Renny! Oh what a great post! I hadn’t heard of him, but it sounds well deserved!
Thank you for posting this!
RennyBA
Thanks to you too and you are welcome.
Renny – I am adding a link to your blog from mine. Hope that’s OK.
I feel so uninformed Renny….I was not familiar with him, as many of your commentators have said…..As to who would be a good candidate for next year? I honestly do not know. I don’t see anyone on the Horizon that looks like a GOOD Candidate, but then, there may very well be, and I am just not familiar with them. The world is in such an uproar right now. It is terribly depressing.
RennyBA
I do understand Naomi, but glad you know a bit of him now then.
Don’t you worry. The Comity will have plenty of candidates next year too. Even if it looks depressing, it always hope and some improvements done. Like one thing at a time: one conflict at a time. Lets never give up.
Excellent! Congrats!
Its very very bad that I hadn’t heard of this guy until he won the prize…try not to judge me….
I have always admired Norway and its Nobel Committe for being a leader in the world in a prophetic sense by offering the Nobel Peace Prize–after all, peace and reconciliation is what we need more of in our troubled world!!! Plus, both peace and reconciliation are what Jesus was all about and inspires all of his would be followers to be about too.
Although the Nobel Peace Prize has become, I think, rather political (difficult to avoid), and I haven’t always agreed with the committee’s choices, nonetheless I think it does inspire peacemakers and reconcilers around the globe as well as changes or moderates pariah states who deny their citizens basic, universal human rights and freedoms–hence sowing seeds for a better world.
My vote for next year’s Nobel Peace Prize is Canadian singer-songwriter, and prophet, Bruce Cockburn. I think music is indeed “the universal language” and he packs a powerful message into his songs!!! You can listen to his songs online by the way, just google him.
Finally, (sorry for being so long-winded here), I want to encourage you again with what you are doing on this blog–I love your pictures and commentary on Norway, it’s the next best thing to being there, which one day I hope will become a reality for me!
I find great that the Nobel Peace Prize exists. it gives us hope in time of crisis and political fights.
congratualtions to mr. Ahtisaari this is a notable acheivement and we celebrate how he has promoted peace in areas where it was missing.
Congratulation to Mr. Martti Ahtisaari for such outstanding award. For this honor, I would like to quote what Gautam Buddha said, “Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.” Although, there is a less debate, dialogue and discourse of peace pursue by developing countries like Nepal. If wold want to see, we perform a very unique model of conflict transformation in Nepal. My dear peace practioners, please open your eyes for Nepal too. Please look at the history of war, that is expensive, but peace is priceless, particularly who are working in developing country. Indeed, peace is not merely absence of civil disorder, but judicial freedom and equality, fraternity, security, and development that is a collective rather than individual practice.
sir I suggest president barrack obama for the next year candidates, if he make a different in interbational politics, :) do you agree sir ?
RennyBA
It reminds to be seen, but if: he for sure be a significant candidate. Next year could be a bit premature however.