Nobel Peace Prize

The Nobel Peace Prize along with prizes in physics, chemistry, medicine and literature was established in 1901 with funds bequeathed by Alfred Nobel, a pioneer in the development of industrial explosives. The prize, which is generally considered the most prestigious in the world, is awarded each year to individuals and organizations who are deemed to have done the most to advance the cause of world peace. "In addition to humanitarian efforts and peace movements, the Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded for work in a wide range of fields including advocacy of human rights, mediation of international conflicts, and arms control." In recent years, Kofi Annan, Jimmy Carter, Muhammad Yunus and Al Gore have numbered among the prominent figures to be honored for their accomplishments.