Admittedly there were several other candidates who have throughout a longer time strived to “work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses”[iii], which are the conditions for this award as stated by Alfred Nobel, the inventor of the Nobel Prize and ironically also of dynamite. Someone who comes to mind is former President Bill Clinton, who during his presidency promoted peace negotiations in the Middle East and Yugoslavia and restored US diplomatic relations with Vietnam and even after his presidency continues to be engaged in peace efforts as a Special Envoy of the United Nations. He also established the Clinton Foundation which has global programs in health security, economic empowerment, leadership development and citizen service and lastly, racial, ethnic and religious reconciliation[iv].
I believe that the choice of award was truly a strategic move, much like the award to Gorbachev in 1990. Unlike other Nobel Prizes, which recognize completed accomplishments, the Nobel Peace Prize can be awarded to people or organizations that are in the process of resolving a conflict or creating peace. With this award, it seems that the Nobel Prize Committee was seeking to boost the use of multilateral diplomacy and validate President Obama’s position on the global stage. President Obama himself viewed this award as a “call to action” rather than recognition of his accomplishments and said he would continue to push for several international objectives including nuclear nonproliferation, a reversal of the global economic downturn and a resolution of the Arab-Israeli conflict[v]. Senator John McCain also pointed out the increased responsibility that President Obama has gained when he stated in an interview “I think part of their decision making was expectations and I’m sure the President understands that he now has even more to live up to”[vi].
While most would agree that it is too premature to evaluate fully President Obama’s impact on building peace in the world, several of his efforts cannot be ignored. One of President Obama’s first actions when he came into office was to announce the closure of Guantanamo Bay. His reaching out to the Muslim world just a couple months into his presidency with his speech in Cairo was also significant of his desire to bridge differences and foster increased cooperation. His efforts with regards to nuclear non-proliferation, climate change and the involvement of the international community, including Iran, in redefining the Afghan strategy has also been notable indicating the return of multilateral diplomacy. Specifically with regards to the Afghan Strategy, the shift to a more people-centric approach and the use of increased civilian technical support has demonstrated that the President is not only concerned with defeating the enemy, but also ensuring lasting peace by addressing the Afghan people’s needs and concerns.
There is no doubt that in a small period of time President Obama has presented not only a national, but also a worldview focused on unity, compassion, fraternity, responsibility and cooperation, among other values. While the impact of his efforts have not always been clear and he has perhaps not been a major peace player as long as others, one has to admit that being the most powerful man in the world, he is in the position with the greatest ability to impact everyone. The Nobel Peace Prize enforces this responsibility.
Mariam Zan
[i] BBC News “Obama Wins 2009 Nobel Peace Award” (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8298580.stm)
[ii] Nobel Prize Organization (http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/2009/index.html)
[iii] Nobel Prize Organization (http://nobelprize.org/alfred_nobel/will/short_testamente.html)
[iv] Clinton Foundation (http://www.clintonfoundation.org/about-the-clinton-foundation/)
[v] CNN “Nobel Peace Prize is call to action” (http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/10/09/nobel.peace.prize/index.html)
[vi] Ibidem
Mariam Zan
