The nonprofit organization Nihon Hindakyo in Japan has been awarded the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize for its leadership in the global movement to ban nuclear weapons. Nihon Hindakyo is comprised of survivors, known as Hibakusha, of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II. These survivors have shared their personal stories of suffering and resilience to raise global awareness about the horrors of nuclear weapons, advocating for a world free of such devastating weapons.
The First Nobel Peace Prize: A Historical Look
The Nobel Peace Prize, established following the will of Swedish inventor Alfred Nobel, is awarded to individuals or institutions that have made significant contributions to promoting peace. Nobel specified that the prize should be given to those who work toward “fraternity between nations, the abolition or reduction of standing armies, and the promotion of peace congresses.” Unlike other Nobel Prizes, the Peace Prize can be awarded to institutions as well as individuals. The Norwegian Nobel Committee bestows this award in Oslo.
The first Nobel Peace Prize was awarded in 1901 to two prominent figures:
- Jean Henri Dunant of Switzerland, for his efforts to aid wounded soldiers and promote humanitarian causes. He is also credited with founding the Red Cross, the world’s largest humanitarian relief organization.
- Frédéric Passy of France, for his lifetime dedication to peace, diplomacy, and mediation, including his participation in numerous international peace conferences.
Dunant’s work began after he witnessed the horrific aftermath of the Battle of Solferino in 1859, where he organized aid for wounded soldiers. His experience led him to write a book that outlined a plan for creating a humanitarian organization to provide aid on the battlefield, which eventually became the Red Cross. Despite facing financial hardship and societal disdain in his later years, Dunant’s legacy grew, and he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize as a recognition of his monumental contributions to global humanitarian efforts.
