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The Norwegian Nobel Committee announced the award citing that "only very rarely has a person to the same extent as Obama captured the world's attention and given its people hope for a better future". The 2009 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to President Obama due to his efforts to strengthen "international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples" with emphasis on Obama's vision for a world without nuclear weapons.
The Nobel Peace Prize is one of five Nobel Prizes left in the will of Swedish industrialist and inventor Alfred Nobel. According to Nobel's will, the Peace Prize should be awarded "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."
Typically Nobel Prizes, such as scientific and literary, are given one to two decades after the prize winner's achievement. However, the Peace Prize has typically been awarded for more recent or immediate achievements. The Nobel Peace Prize is typically issued in the same year as or the year immediately following the political act. This often causes some controversy as many believe that the award should not be given to anyone who hasn't proven that their achievement has had enough time to show positive results.
It is the uniqueness of the Nobel Peace Prize that sets it apart. It is one that gives hope and inspiration for the future, rather than an award for past efforts. The idea is to focus the world's attention on particular problems and possibly aid in the peace-efforts themselves.
Undoubtedly, there will be an outpouring of public reaction around the world for the selection of President Barack Obama as the recipient of the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize. Reports are already streaming in from around the world, both positive and negative.
A report from Reuters exemplified a mixed reaction. The chief Palestinian peace negotiator, Saeb Erekat, welcomed the award to Obama. The reaction was not as welcoming in Gaza where the leader of the militant Islamic Jihad, Khaled Al-Batsh, condemned the award, saying the award “shows these prizes are political, not governed by the principles of credibility, values and morals."
“Why should Obama be given a peace prize while his country owns the largest nuclear arsenal on earth and his soldiers continue to shed innocent blood in Iraq and Afghanistan?" stated Khaled Al-Batsh.
Today will be an interesting news day with the announcement of President Barack Obama as the recipient of the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize. Reaction from around the globe will certainly be varied yet President Obama should be allowed to revel in this highly distinctive award. This is a notable achievement for a world leader who has only been in office for 9 months.
Written by Cheryl Phillips
Exclusive to HULIQ.com
sources: Wikipedia, Rueters
Posted October 9th, 2009 by Cheryl Phillips
