The Swedish Academy on Friday announced the Nobel Peace Prize to Maria Corina Machado from Venezuela. The prize recognises her efforts in fighting for democracy and citizens’ rights, and her tireless efforts, which helped people of Venezuela to transition from dictatorship to democracy.
Jorgen Watne Frydnes, the chairman of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, made the announcement. The Academy described her journey, saying how she was forced to live in hiding inside her own country, which also inspired millions to unite against the military power in Venezuela. Despite threats to her life, she was able to unite the opposition to fight for the people, as she remained confident in the idea of a peaceful transition to democracy.
Last year, the prize was given to a Japanese organisation, Nihon Hidankyo, which is a movement by atomic bomb survivors based in Hiroshima. The Nobel prizes started this week, with the first one given in medicine on Monday, Physics on Tuesday, Chemistry on Wednesday, Literature on Thursday, and the peace prize on Friday. The prize for economics will be given on 13th October, Monday.
The cash award consists of 11 million Swedish Kronor, which is to be awarded on 10th December. Alfred Nobel, the Swedish inventor, created the Nobel Prizes and also declared in his will that his estate should be used to award those who benefit humankind in the coming years.
This year, the Institute registered 338 candidates for the prize, which included 244 individuals and 94 individuals. The nominations are required to be sent by 31st January every year; the committee also has the option to make nominations during the first meeting in February every year. The chairman of the committee took a jibe at world leaders, stating that every politician wants the peace prize, but the criteria of the committee are strict.
He also shared that the committee always tries to reach a consensus while declaring the winner, but in case of failure, a simple majority is used to decide the winner.
