Signed in as:
filler@godaddy.com
Signed in as:
filler@godaddy.com
“Tyranny prevails when good men do nothing.”
— Thomas Jefferson
What many people don’t realize is that the Nobel family was deeply involved in both the armaments and oil industries during Alfred Nobel’s lifetime. Innovation and responsibility have always existed side by side in our family. Alfred, more artistic and reflective than his brothers, saw firsthand the destructive potential of his own inventions. That realization weighed heavily on him and shaped the legacy he chose to leave.
This shift was not sudden, nor was it a contradiction. It was an evolution. Confronting the power of technology forced Alfred to think deeply about humanity’s future and the moral direction of progress. His response became the Nobel Prizes: a lasting commitment to science, innovation, and ultimately, peace.
Anyone who has ever witnessed an explosion understands that its impact reaches far beyond sound or force; it vibrates through the human soul. Alfred sensed early the trajectory humanity was on — long before the nuclear age — and sought, through his final will in 1895, to guide society toward fraternity, understanding, and the reduction of conflict.
In his will, he defined the Peace Prize to honor those who had achieved the most or best work for:
These principles remain just as urgent today. At Ludvig Nobel Media, we continue that spirit by fostering dialogue, awareness, and ethical innovation, ensuring that the power of invention is always matched by the responsibility to advance a more peaceful and sustainable world.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee, appointed by the Norwegian Parliament, is entrusted with interpreting Alfred Nobel’s vision and selecting each year’s Nobel Peace Prize laureate. Over time, the Committee has adapted Nobel’s original criteria to meet the evolving realities of global peace, while remaining faithful to the moral foundation he established.
Nobel’s three core principles continue to guide the decisions:
Fraternity between nations
Originally focused on diplomacy and cooperation between states, this now includes cultural understanding, bridge-building between societies, and efforts that strengthen the bonds of our shared humanity.
Abolition or reduction of standing armies
Once viewed primarily through disarmament, this principle has expanded to embrace conflict prevention, peace negotiations, demilitarization initiatives, and the reduction of military escalation worldwide.
Holding and promotion of peace congresses
What were formal gatherings in the late 19th century now encompass international mediation efforts, high-level dialogues, peace treaties, and global platforms for conflict resolution.
Beyond these foundations, the Committee’s interpretation has broadened to recognize crucial pillars of modern peace:
Through this thoughtful evolution, the Norwegian Nobel Committee ensures that Alfred Nobel’s legacy remains living, relevant, and responsive , honoring those who most profoundly advance humanity’s collective journey toward peace, justice, and sustainability.
The ideals behind the Nobel Peace Prize are not confined to history; they live on through the individuals and institutions that continue to act in the spirit of progress, compassion, and truth. At Ludvig Nobel Media, we strive to translate these values into the language of today, through storytelling, dialogue, and education that awaken both thought and action.
Our work builds on the same foundation Alfred Nobel envisioned: the belief that knowledge, when guided by conscience, can move humanity toward peace. By fostering awareness, ethical innovation, and cross-generational understanding, we help ensure that the principles of the Nobel legacy remain a living force in the world.
From Stockholm to the global community, we carry this heritage forward, connecting elders and youth, empowering new voices, and nurturing a deeper understanding of what it means to build peace in an interconnected world.
Copyright © 2020 - 2025 Ludvig Nobel Media AB - All Rights Reserved.