What’s in a Prize?

Author’s photo, September 2025: Picasso’s Guernica – Reina Sofia Museum – Madrid

I was hoping that the Nobel Foundation would decide not to award the Peace Prize this year but rather look deep into their souls, putting their list of names aside, and be courageous enough to honour the principle of Alfred Nobel in 1901; “for the greatest benefit to humankind”. I dreamed that they would make a statement that spoke to peace, worldwide. I believed, erroneously, that they would reach out to the citizens of this world, living in every single continent whose lives have been torn apart by conflict, poverty, war, genocide and the daily grind of waking each day to a situation that is worse than the day before, and offer to provide support for the people to carve out our own way forward. 

It seems to me that the Foundation has made a statement that is an aberration of judgement that does not recognise this time in the world today in which not only is there an absence of peace but an erasure of basic human rights for those who most struggle to stay alive, one more day.  The words of Kwame Ture (Stokely Carmichael 1941-1998) are as true today as they were when spoken. 

“There’s a difference between peace and liberation”

When powerful individuals, multi-national mining companies, corrupt, imperialist governments and heads of state decide on the fate of nations across the globe, we cannot hope to gain peace in this world. The time has come to claim peace, as Pan African states, Non-Aligned governments, liberation movements and indigenous peoples around the world have done for centuries. How do we honour the sacrifices made by our elders and our ancestors if we do not actively support the new leaders of the world, most of whom have been silenced, exiled or imprisoned. 

Let us be clear, there isn’t a lack of leadership in the world today but an overwhelming noise of those few who drown the hopes and dreams of many. The task to provide more than basic needs, is not an impossible one. It is achievable. Solutions abound on this Earth if we are willing to seek out examples, listen and take action. We have been solving our problems for many, many centuries. Great architecture, that is suited to the varied climate conditions, specific and changing across the globe, has provided homes. Medicine, grounded in indigenous knowledge supported by science is available to prevent and cure much of what now still kills children and adults can be administered freely if the mega drug companies forfeit their astronomical profits. Indigenous farmers have used their understanding of the changing and evolving climate, soil, crops, irrigation and harvesting to feed themselves and others, equitably. Education, the cornerstone of our societies, can promote community development and understanding, working, sharing and trading in partnership, as opposed to the exploitation of our countries rich in natural resources to benefit those who have already consumed their own. 

This is not a plea for ‘peace and love’ across the world where it has been denied for centuries, but a real search for solutions, together. We cannot continue climb on top of the shoulders of those whose backs are already broken. Our leaders are not all dead. We do not have to constantly look on with anger. We can create our today. We can move forward with greater understanding of what and who is holding us back. 

There are over 8 billion individuals on this planet. Surely, we can claim our spaces and places in this world. The Nobel Peace Prize is not our answer. So, what is holding us back from true liberation?