The Nobel Peace Prize will be awarded to the members of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons; they will receive the award by the Norwegian Nobel Committee on December 10, 2013 in Oslo, Norway.
This little known organization was catapulted into the spotlight when it was announced as the winner on Friday, October 11 2013. Founded in 1997, this organization focuses on three main goals: to destroy all existing chemical weapons, to prevent the creation of new chemical weapons, and to help countries protect themselves against chemical attacks. The organization’s most recent efforts have focused on dismantling the chemical weapons in Syria that have been used to kill approximately 1,500 Syrians.
The Nobel Committee awarded this prize to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons to send out a strong condemnatory message about the use of chemical weapons. Although chemical weapon usage was outlawed in the Geneva Convention in 1925 shortly after WWI and its production and storage were outlawed at an international convention in 1997, the use of chemical weapons is still a threat to human life. Through this award, the Nobel Committee seeks to contribute to the elimination of chemical weapons.
Even though it was a complete surprise that the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to a little known organization backed by the U.N. (especially since many people speculated Malala Yousafzai would be the winner), the public is very impressed by the achievements of this organization. Orchestra teacher Ms. Jennifer Curran commented on the efforts of the winning organization: “I admire their dedication to promoting human life and dignity.”
Many world leaders such as Angel Merkel (prime minister of Germany), Mikhail Gorbachev (former Soviet leader) etc. have also lauded the organization’s contributions to humanity.
Davis George ‘15 adds, “Their work in Syria is extensive, and provides an important time- sensitive complement, to most other multi-lateral organizations like the U.N.” Clearly, the public respects and appreciates this organization. The effects this organization is truly capably of offering however, may only be completely understood decades from now.