The Nobel Peace Prize

Malala Yousafzai – awarded the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize – donated this scarf to the Nobel Museum which she wore when she argued for all children's right to education at the United Nations headquarters in 2013.

© Nobel Media. Photo: Alexander Mahmoud

About the prize

“The said interest shall be divided into five equal parts, which shall be apportioned as follows: /- – -/ one part to the person who shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses.”  (Excerpt from the will of Alfred Nobel)

Alfred Nobel showed a big interest in social issues and was engaged in the peace movement. His acquaintance with Bertha von Suttner, who was a driving force in the international peace movement in Europe and later awarded the Peace Prize, influenced his views on peace. Peace was the fifth and final prize area that Nobel mentioned in his will. The Nobel Peace Prize is awarded by a committee elected by the Norwegian Parliament (Stortinget).

See all peace prize laureates or learn about the nomination process.

Nobel Peace Prize 2022

Nobel Peace Prize: Q&A

How are the Nobel Peace Prize laureates chosen? Asle Toje, Deputy Chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, answers some of the most common questions about the nomination and selection process.
Asle Toje of Norwegian Nobel Committee.

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Questions and answers

Nobel Prizes and laureates

The traditional costume Kailash Satyarthi wore when he received the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo in 2014.

Photo: Nobel Prize Museum

Discover more

An interview with Olav Njølstad, Director of the Norwegian Nobel Institute, about the Nobel Peace Prize.

Nobel Peace Prize 2017 047

Director of the Norwegian Nobel Institute and secretary of the Norwegian Nobel Committee Olav Njølstad.

© Nobel Media. Photo: Ken Opprann

The Red Cross has been awarded three times – read about the work of the organization.

Red Cross - Armband

Armlet for the Red Cross.

Photo: Nobel Prize Museum