United Nations’ World Food Programme has won the 2020 Nobel peace prize.
The UN Food program was selected for the Nobel peace prize due to its efforts to combat hunger. And to improve situations in areas of conflict as well.
The Guardian reported that the Chairwoman of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, Berit Reiss Anderson, announced this year’s laureate at the Nobel Institute in Oslo.
The coronavirus pandemic has contributed to a strong upsurge in the number of victims of hunger in the world. In the face of the pandemic, 2020 #NobelPrize laureate the World Food Programme @WFP has demonstrated an impressive ability to intensify its efforts.#NobelPeacePrize pic.twitter.com/DnMLqFO9P4
— The Nobel Prize (@NobelPrize) October 9, 2020
Due to coronavirus, reporters were present in fewer numbers to cover the event.
2020 saw 318 nominees in consideration for the prestigious prize. While 211 were individuals, 107 were organizations.
Before the peace prize announcement, there were many other contenders also.
In the race were 17-year-old Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny. And also the World Health Organization for its role in handling the COVID-19 pandemic.
After the announcement, Donald Trump, running for another term, said that he should’ve got the prize last year.
In 2019, Trump lost to Ethiopia’s prime minister Abiy Ahmed who forged a peace deal with Eritrea.
Donald Trump for 2021 Nobel peace prize
Speaking of Donald Trump, he’s up for next year’s Nobel peace prize, according to the White House. It was announced by press secretary Kayleigh McEnany.
He will run for the prize for his efforts of brokering an accord. It resulted in the UAE and Bahrain’s improved relations with Israel.
Although, many Trump critics don’t see him as deserving. According to them, he hasn’t done anything path-breaking so far.
History of peace prize and winners
Since 1901, one hundred peace prizes have been awarded so far. There’s a slight difference within the awards themselves.
While the Nobel prize winners are announced from Stockholm, Nobel peace prize laureates are announced from Oslo, in Norway.
The prestigious prize comprises of 10m kronor. It translates to an £870,000 cash award, plus a gold medal.
Winners are awarded every year on December 10th, the anniversary of founder Alfred Nobel’s death.
However, this year the award ceremony won’t be a normal one. It is understandable due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
Earlier this week, prizes were awarded in the field of physiology and medicine. On Tuesday, the Nobel for physics went to the team of scientists. They made great development in understanding the mysteries of black holes.
Prize in the field of chemistry went to scientists behind a great gene-editing tool on Wednesday.
"You have to live your life if you’re going to do original work. Your work will come out of an authentic life …"
– Louise Glück, awarded this year's #NobelPrize in Literature.
Read more in this Q&A with the poet: https://t.co/FxQ0hMwXpO pic.twitter.com/RiIcWJpWfz
— The Nobel Prize (@NobelPrize) October 8, 2020
And on Thursday, the Nobel for literature went to the American poet Louise Glück. It was for her “uncompromising work” in poetry.
Next week will see the announcement of the Nobel peace prize winner in the field of economics.
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