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In a year dominated by the coronavirus pandemic, the award of the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize may offer the world much-needed hope.
Ahead of Friday’s announcement by the Nobel Committee in Oslo, speculation abounds about who will win this year’s prestigious award.
Commentators and bookies have tipped a variety of people and institutions, from climate activists to journalists to the World Health Organization (WHO).
As usual, the candidates nominated this year will not be revealed by the Nobel committee for another 50 years. For this reason, the Nobel Committee says on its website that the names being discussed as contenders are “mere guesses or information provided by the person or persons behind the nomination.”
There are 318 contenders for this year’s $ 1.1 million (£ 854,000) prize, which comprises 211 individuals and 107 organizations. This is the fourth-highest total in history, with a record 376 since 2016.
These are some of the candidates for the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize:
Greta thunberg
The Swedish environmental activist was strongly inclined to win the Nobel Peace Prize last year, which ended up going to Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed for his efforts to resolve the border conflict with neighboring Eritrea.
Once again, the teenager is believed to be a favorite for the 2020 accolade.
Dan Smith, director of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, thinks he could win for his work on raising awareness about the climate emergency.
However, he thinks it would be better if an organization and not an individual took the award home.
“I tend to think it would be best if it went to various activists around the world, possibly including Greta Thunberg, but not putting her on a pedestal by herself,” Smith said.
Jacinda ardern
Like Ms Thunberg, New Zealand’s prime minister was thought to be a potential winner last year for her handling of the Christchurch terror attacks.
Ms Ardern has stood out this year for her handling of the pandemic, which has seen her receive praise from around the world.
She is the third most likely candidate to win the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize, according to Oddschecker, which compiles odds from various bookmakers.
World Health Organization
Some commentators see WHO as a potential winner for its role in leading the global response to the pandemic.
However, as all the nominees had to come forward by February 1, it is unlikely that the Nobel Peace Prize winner will be recognized for fighting the coronavirus.
To be sure, the WHO has had its detractors too, with Trump and others criticizing it for its actions early in the outbreak.
Alexei Navalny
Although he has not been tipped as much as Ms. Thunberg, Ms. Ardern or the WHO, the Russian political opponent is considered a potential recipient of the accolade.
The Russian opposition figure recently left hospital in Berlin after being treated there for novichok poisoning. It alleges that Russian President Vladimir Putin was behind the attack.
Committee to Protect Journalists
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is a watchdog that defends the rights of journalists and promotes freedom of the press.
CPJ was included in a short list of worthy candidates drawn up by the Oslo Peace Research Institute (PRIO). The winners of the last two years were included in this list.
Urdal, the PRIO director, said it was a good time to elect CPJ, as press freedom is “being questioned around the world.”
And further afield, Donald Trump has been nominated for the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize, after right-wing Norwegian politician Christian Tybring-Gjedde introduced the US president, citing his work to establish relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates. .
Regardless, Henrik Urdal, who is director of the Oslo Peace Research Institute (PRIO), expressed doubts about Trump’s chances.
“The possibility of him obtaining the award is absolutely nil,” said Urdal.
Additional reports from AP
