CNN
Writing in his will in 1895, Alfred Nobel designated who should determine the winners of the annual prizes which he intended to be established after his death.
Since its inception in 1901, the winner of the Nobel Peace Prize has been chosen, in accordance with Nobel's wishes, by a five-member committee of lawmakers elected by the Norwegian parliament, the Storting, and assisted by specially-appointed expert advisers.
The 2009 committee is headed by Thorbjørn Jagland, a former Norwegian prime minister and the current president of the Storting.
The decision-making process starts in September, more than a year before the winner of the prize is announced, when the committee sends out letters to qualified individuals inviting them to nominate contenders - either individuals, joint individuals or organizations - for the peace prize.
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I can't believe they would give such an award to someone with so little experience . What am I saying, they gave him the Presidency. It doesn't matter what color he is he just doesn't have the qualifications for either. Let him tear down the Berlin Wall like Reagan did or end the Cuban Missle Crises like Kennedy. Two much greater men who never received this award. I think it is a "kick in the knee" to these great men instead of former President Bush. All I know is that since 9/11/2001 the United States has been more peaceful thanks to the programs that our last President put in place and that Obama is afraid to abandon.
So it appears the main criteria for a Nobel Peace Prize is being a motivational speaker. Who would have thought that the same prize given to Mother Teresa for 40 years of work in the slums of India would go to someone for makingg a few speaches. My how the bar has been lowered.
Nobel Peace Prize .. A great surprise to end the week very well!
I am happy for Pres Obama, and especially for our country, that he won this prize. Reporters asked him what he will do with the "money," and he wisely kept walking following his rose garden speech.
What Obama does with the "money" is his business, but I am sure he will "spend" it wisely, and I doubt he or his family will "profit" from one penny.
Obama is a good man, and I am sure someday he will be a great man if he will be given the time.
This is obscene.
Congratulations PRESIDENT Obama!
It sounds like a logical process. It is fair and critical. Alfred Nobel was a wise man, with wise wishes.
The announcement this morning of our President as the Nobel receipient gave all of us immense pride and joy. THIS is the 'poll' that we should be paying attention to, not daily cable detractions. After 8 yrs. of fear, hate mongering and bullying, we now have a leader that
TRULY inspires. Spreading hope and respect far outweighs brashness and name calling. We pray that our president can continue to rise above those hateful voices and be lifted up as he and we were today. God bless him and our nation...and you Go Anderson, we love your work.