Nobel Prize

I am very pleased that the Tunisian National Dialogue Quartet won the 2015 Nobel Peace Prize because the Quartet was able to maintain an alternative peaceful process to avoid violence and social unrest under very turbulent situations. While other countries in the region such as Egypt, Syria, and Yemen have been mired in civil war and social unrest since the Arab Spring in 2010, the Tunisian National Dialogue Quartet has been an exemplary example of how peaceful dialogues between different factions can lead can lead to positive outcomes. Although I was not previously familiar with the organization prior to the announcement of the Nobel Peace Prize winner, I believe that the Nobel Committee’s selection was very appropriate considering the overall turmoil in this region because it shines a light on a positive organization that is having a substantial in promoting peace throughout the world.

Many of the rumored choices for the Nobel Prize winner had serious ethical challenges. For example, Edward Snowden, the non-descript federal employee, released information that compromised the security of the United States. Moreover, the United States government has charged him with federal crimes that would place him in prison for the remainder of his life.  On the other hand, some people believe that Snowden is a hero because of his work to support human rights.

            Another ethically challenged individual that was rumored to be a possible Nobel Peace Prize selection was Colombian FARC leader, Timoleon Jimenez. Jimenez along with President Juan Manuel Santos successfully negotiated a peace agreement between the Colombian government and FARC. I agree that Colombian president may have been worthy of such a prestigious award but it would have been absurd to award the Nobel Peace Prize to an individual who was the primary proponent of the chaos and violence.

            However, I believed that Pope Francis was a worthy individual to win the Nobel Peace Prize because of his constant and pronounced messages of peace and hope in the world. Finally, I also believed that German chancellor Angela Merkel would have also been a worthy individual to win the award because of her welcoming response to the wide spread influx of Syria refuges.

Yiby Person

http://www.cnn.com/2015/10/07/world/nobel-peace-prize-names-2015/index.html