Nominees are waiting for 12 October 2007 when this years Nobel Peace Prize winner will be announced. Oprah Winfrey, Al Gore and Sheila Watt-Cloutier are in the running.
The 181 nominations received for the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize are believed to include names ranging from former US Vice-President Al Gore to Irena Sendler, a woman who rescued Polish children in World War 2. But nobody really knows, because officially it is a secret that has to be kept for 50 years. However, near the halfway mark, it looks as though environmental issues may triumph and that Gore and Watt-Cloutier may emerge joint winners this year.
In releasing the final count in February, Secretary of the five-member Awards Committee, Geir Lundestad would give only a total count - 135 individuals and 46 organizations nominated - without listing any names. All in keeping with the rules.
Six Nobel Prizes are awarded each year in the areas of:
Peace
Chemistry
Physics
Medicine
Literature
Economics
The prizes are named after Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite, who created the prizes in his will. He donated a sizable portion of his estate to fund the prizes and decided who would judge the winners of each award. He also named the five prize categories (Economics was added during the 1960s).
Today each prize is valued at over $1,000,000. The reason a Nobel Prize is such a "big deal" is not really the monetary value of the award, but the fact that the award has been presented since 1901, long enough for everyone to have heard about it. All six prizes are widely regarded as the supreme commendations in their subject areas.
Who are this year’s Nobel Peace Prize nominees?
Although nobody officially knows who is nominated, those making nominations sometimes announce them. According to Nobel Prize nominating rules, any "professor of social sciences, history, philosophy, law and theology" and any judge or national legislator in any country, among others, can nominate anyone for a Nobel Peace Prize.”
This year it seems the nominees include Al Gore, for his campaign to draw attention to the threat of global warming; Canadian Inuit environmentalist Sheila Watt-Cloutier for her work in the Polar regions; Bolivian President Evo Morales; US TV talk show host Oprah Winfrey; UN Aids Envoy to Africa Stephen Lewis; Taiwanese activist Shih Ming-Teh; Malaysia's former premier, Mahathir Mohamad, and peace negotiators including ex-Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari.
Other announced names and organizations that have been mentioned include Sail Training International, a British-based charity helping young people develop through sailing and Polish-American Irena Sendler who saved the lives of Jewish children during World War 2.
Lundestad said this year's winner will probably be announced on 12 October. The actual prize always is presented on the 10th of December , the anniversary of the death of its creator, Swedish industrialist Alfred Nobel.
The Nobel Laureates, in five categories, take center stage in Stockholm on 10 December when they receive the Nobel Prize amount from King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden.
In Oslo, the Nobel Peace Prize Laureates receive their Nobel Peace Prize from the Chairman of the Norwegian Nobel Committee in the presence of King Harald V of Norway on the same day.
This is the official online source where you first learn the names of the new Nobel Laureates in October each year.
The copyright of the article Nobel Peace Prize Race Heats Up in Peace Making is owned by Karen Lotter. Permission to republish Nobel Peace Prize Race Heats Up in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
I always thought the Nobel Peace prize was one of the greatest honors
someone could receive and that great care and consideration was taken when
reviewing the nominees, I guess I was wrong on both accounts. My vote would
have gone to Irena Sendler. I'm pretty sure what she did in WW2 was a whole
lot more important and will have positive effects that reach far into the
future , if not into eternity. I'm not sure Mr. Gore will be able to say
that. Ruth Connolly, Lewisburg, PA
May 15, 2008 4:16 PM
Guest :
Oprah Winfrey? Al Gore? Even the nominess for the 2007 prizes are
telling. What was once a true honor has been reduced to TV talk show hosts
and an environmental alarmist who is badly in need of attention since he
failed to be elected president. Irena Sendler was the clear winner of the
names shown on this website. How in the world could she not have won?
Sad. Very, very sad.
Aug 17, 2008 6:22 PM
Guest :
How sad to know the efforts of Irena Sendler were not acknowledged to the
world via award of a Nobel Peace Prize.
Aug 31, 2008 6:42 AM
Guest :
WHAT A SHAME THAT IRENA SENDLER WAS NOT GIVEN THIS HONOR. HER EFFORTS WERE
FAR MORE DESERVING OF A PRIZE SUCH AS THIS. FAR AND ABOVE ANY OF THE OTHER
NOMINEES. SHE WILL RECIEVE HER ANGELS WINGS, A FAR BETTER PRIZE THAN THIS
ONE ON EARTH. GOD BLESS HER. KATHY BLACKWELL BAKERSFIELD, CA.
Sep 25, 2008 11:54 AM
Guest :
It is unfortunate the Nobel Peace prize has become politicized like
everything else. How sad that a man telling the "truth" about
global warming is chosen over a woman who sacrificed everything to free
innocent children from certain death. Those children she saved and many of
the rest of us know who was most deserving of the award. God bless Irena
Sendler for her good works.
Sep 26, 2008 5:10 PM
Guest :
I just found this out yesterday and I could not believe it. So I did this
search and it was true. I am so angry, that someone promoting an
evironmental agenda that is suspect at best, could be picked over Irena
Sendler. This was a shame/sham. He should have given it to her if he had
any credibility.
Mark, Ohio. 9/26/08
Sep 29, 2008 8:24 PM
Guest :
Irena Sendler should have been an easy pick but unfortunately politics get
in the way. I think the distinguished committee that chose Al Gore over
Irena should be replaced. Sebastian Carta, Myrtle Beach, SC
Oct 6, 2008 7:31 AM
Guest :
While Irena Sendler is a very deserving canidate it should be noted that
many people helped save many Jews from the Nazi's. Just a few are
listed below: Portuguese diplomat Aristides de Sousa Mendes issued
30,000 visas to Jews and other persecuted minorities, though it cost him
his career in 1941, when Portuguese dictator Salazar forced him out of his
job. He died in poverty in 1954. The French town of Le
Chambon-sur-Lignon sheltered several thousand Jews, and similar acts were
repeated throughout Europe, as illustrated by the famous case of Anne
Frank, often at great risk to the rescuers. Brazilian diplomat Luis Martins
de Souza Dantas illegally issued Brazilian diplomatic visas to hundreds of
Jews in France during the Vichy Government, saving them from certain
death. Swedish diplomat Raoul Wallenberg and his colleagues saved as
many as 100,000 Hungarian Jews by providing them with diplomatic passes. Pope Pius XII - during the German occupation of Rome he organised that
Italian Jews would be concealed in convents and monasteries. Up to 1,000
Jews were even concealed at the Pope's Summer Residence Castel Gandolfo.
Maximilian Kolbe - Polish Conventual Franciscan friar. During the
Second World War, in the friary, Kolbe provided shelter to people from
Greater Poland, including 2,000 Jews. He was also active as a radio
amateur, vilifying Nazi activities through his reports. Frits Philips
- Dutch industrialist who saved 382 Jews by insisting to the Nazis that
they were indispensable employees of Philips. How can we pick one
person for this award when all of the above people and many more are also
deserving for their humanitarian efforts during WWII. Gerry
Catalano, Buffalo, NY
Jan 24, 2009 10:19 PM
Guest :
Al Gore really looks the "clear" winner now? How cold is it where
you live today????? Global Warming bah
Feb 11, 2009 11:08 AM
Guest :
Please read the criteria for a Nobel Peace Prize. "to those who,
during the preceding year, shall have conferred the greatest benefit on
mankind." While I agree that Irena did a great and noble thing, and it
was nice that she was recognized by being nominated, it was the wish of Mr.
Nobel to award for the preceding year.
I really feel sorry for
our country that people like Glen Beck, whos news story I received by
email, twist events to the point of propaganda. Al Gore has worked, wether
you agree with his views or not, to find answers that will help us and
future generations. To villify Gore to make a false point of how bad
"liberals" are, or how the "leftists" don't have
values, is to trash a real discussion we need to have.
Shame
on you Beck and those who have written the comments above! The real truth
is easy to find beyond the TV screen. Take a moment to READ and SOURCE so
not to be so ignorant that you bring about your own demise!!!
Feb 18, 2009 1:41 PM
Guest :
So what your are saying is that Irena Sandler should have been nominated 1n
1943 when she was captured and being tortured by the Gestapo because of the
criteria for a Nobel Peace Prize > "to those who, during the
preceding year, shall have conferred the greatest benefit on
mankind." Tell us what benefit to mankind did Al Gore do in
2006??? or in any other year previous or in what year in the future??? and
how can a theory benefit mankind? Then the next Noble Peace Prize
should go to the next person warning us of the rapture and the four
horsemen coming....
Mar 7, 2009 3:22 AM
Guest :
Irene Sandler saved 2500 lives. Al Gore is trying to save a Planet.
Mar 9, 2009 2:19 PM
Guest :
I just found out that Al Gore won this and the people who save lives were
overlooked. According to Mr. Nobel's will, the award is "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." Let's see if Mr. Gore's
green talk shall make armies reduce or abolish them, or will cause
fraternity between the countries. I very much doubt that it will, they will
not care. But one woman saving hundreds of lives at the risk of her
own...now that is a Peace Prize Winner! She not only help to reduce the
annihilation of an entire country but she also in a way disarmed them, and
joined her country with the country that helped her save those children.
Ladies and Gentlemen of the NPP committee perhaps it is time you
refocused your attention back to the original meaning of Mr. Noble's will.
I'm half Norwegian and I am dissapointed at my fellow Norwegians in this
decision and I pray that the next NPP winner, will be made a little more
carefully and closer to Mr. Noble's desire.
Mar 27, 2009 1:24 PM
Guest :
Guest : Irene Sandler saved 2500 lives. Al Gore is trying to save a
Planet.
Correction: Al Gore is trying to save his political
career and reputation.
Apr 22, 2009 12:20 PM
Guest :
Irena Sendler, a woman who rescued Polish children in World War 2. But
nobody really knows, because officially it is a secret that has to be kept
for 50 years. How long has it been? I am aware she is gone now, but
the reasoning for her possible denial of this prize still puzzles me. From
which point are we to count the said 50 years? From the official end of
world war II to 2007 is 62 years. Will someone please explain? Thx
Apr 22, 2009 12:34 PM
Guest :
I would like to thank those who are patient enough to wade through all the
character bashing and petty comparisons and who are kind enough to explain
and expand on the tidbit of info provided on this page so there is more to
think about than opinions of those who don't like a particular selection of
candidate(s). I would like to add that if any of the nominees biographies
were perused it would be very enlightening and enriching. It indeed would
be beneficial to do this prior to your nominee comparisons.
Apr 24, 2009 3:36 PM
Guest :
you're probably just a greenie hippie who is in love with Al Gore. If you
inspect peoples biographies, and histories you will know that the WRONG
decision was made, unless of course every other nominee was a Nazi, or
Murderer. And in response to the 50 years secret comment prior, the list of
niminees is supposed to be kept a secret for 50 years, it has nothing to do
with when the person accomplished their deeds - at least that is what i
read from this
Oct 9, 2009 7:44 AM
Guest :
I weep for Al Gore. Well not really weep, that's just me waxing poetic,
but I do think he brain farted away a golden political and moral
opportunity. Does this guy really want to do something for the planet or
not? Why didn't he give the award to Irena Sendler? Lets look at the
argument raging in my brain.
From the Ego;
1. It's
not his fault that the Noble Peace Prize committee selected him. His name
will be in the books as the 2007 winner for as long as there are books!
2. But if he gave Irena the NPP the political up side would be
huge. She deserved it more, most people would agree that there is no real
argument on this subject. Irena was tortured by Nazi's but never ratted on
her fellow Zegota members, risked death many times, saw friends and
collegues killed, saved babies and tried to re-unite them with their
families after WWII! By comparison Al risked ridicule from right wing
idiots like Glenn Beck. Ooh, tough call there.
3. Ridicule
would stopped for one of the most magnanimous gestures in history, giving
up the NPP! That would have ranked right up there with Rick Blaine giving
up Ilsa Lund to Victor Laszlo in Casablanca! No man in the world would
have thought less of Bogie running of with Ingid and playing hide the
banana for the rest of his life. Paul Henreid would have gotten over it.
And Al's not really giving up anything except a hunk of metal! If he
really is fighting for planet baubles shouldn't mean anything to him.
And now from the Id;
I got nothing. If you need me I'll
be in the back thinking about your mom.
Eeyew.
Mr.
Gore, I guess it's still not too late to do the right thing although it
would have meant more when Irena, God bless her, was still alive.
Oct 9, 2009 7:54 AM
William B. Scott :
I weep for Al Gore. Well not really weep, that's just me waxing poetic,
but I do think he brain farted away a golden political and moral
opportunity. Does this guy really want to do something for the planet or
not? Why didn't he give the award to Irena Sendler? Lets look at the
argument raging in my brain.
From the Ego;
1. It's
not his fault that the Noble Peace Prize committee selected him. His name
will be in the books as the 2007 winner for as long as there are books!
2. But if he gave Irena the NPP the political up side would be
huge. She deserved it more, most people would agree that there is no real
argument on this subject. Irena was tortured by Nazi's but never ratted on
her fellow Zegota members, risked death many times, saw friends and
collegues killed, saved babies and tried to re-unite them with their
families after WWII! By comparison Al risked ridicule from right wing
idiots like Glenn Beck. Ooh, tough call there.
3. Ridicule
would stopped for one of the most magnanimous gestures in history, giving
up the NPP! That would have ranked right up there with Rick Blaine giving
up Ilsa Lund to Victor Laszlo in Casablanca! No man in the world would
have thought less of Bogie running of with Ingid and playing hide the
banana for the rest of his life. Paul Henreid would have gotten over it.
And Al's not really giving up anything except a hunk of metal! If he
really is fighting for planet baubles shouldn't mean anything to him.
And now from the Id;
I got nothing. If you need me I'll
be in the back thinking about your mom.
Eeyew.
Mr.
Gore, I guess it's still not too late to do the right thing although it
would have meant more when Irena, God bless her, was still alive.
Nov 4, 2009 7:47 PM
Guest :
There is an email circulating mourning the fact that Irena did not win the
prize. Yes, what she did was incredible and brave. But blowing the whistle
on global warming saved the globe! Saved everyone if we are willing to
listen. At the time he was awarded, many still believed the propaganda it
was not real. Since that time, even the conservatives agree it is real. If
Gore and others had not kept making a stand, where would we be in 10 years?
20 years? I am sure everyone nominated is deserving of the prize. Let's not
belittle the achievements of anyone nominated.
May 8, 2007
