History of Nobel Peace Prize Winners

The Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded annually since 1901 to individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to promoting peace and resolving conflicts around the world. The late Swedish industrialist Alfred Nobel established the prize in his will, dedicating it to those who have worked towards fraternity between nations, the reduction of standing armies, and the promotion of peace congresses.

In recent years, notable winners of the Nobel Peace Prize include Congolese gynaecologist Denis Mukwege and Nadia Murad, a public advocate for the Yazidi community in Iraq. They were awarded the prize in 2018 for their efforts in fighting sexual violence in conflicts globally. The 2017 prize was awarded to the International Campaign to Abolition Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), a coalition of NGOs dedicated to achieving a prohibition of nuclear weapons.

Other past winners include Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos in 2016 for his efforts to end Colombia’s civil war, and Malala Yousafzai in 2014 for her advocacy for girls’ education. The European Union was awarded the prize in 2012, and former U.S. President Barack Obama received the honor in 2009.

The Nobel Peace Prize continues to recognize individuals and organizations that have made significant strides in promoting peace and resolving conflicts on a global scale.