The World Health Organization (WHO), British wildlife presenter David Attenborough, and climate campaigner Greta Thunberg are among the newly revealed Nobel Peace Prize nominees. Last year, 329 people and organizations were nominated, but the number of nominations for 2022 has yet to be released.
Attenborough, who is still going strong at 95, has been nominated for his work to educate about and safeguard Earth’s diversity, while Thunberg has been nominated for her climate activism for the fourth year in a row. The WHO, the United Nations body in charge of spearheading worldwide efforts to combat the COVID-19 epidemic, has been nominated for the second year in a row.
Other candidates include the Myanmar National Unity Government, which was formed by opponents of last year’s coup; Tuvalu’s foreign minister, Simon Kofe, who famously gave a speech at COP26 last year while kneeling in seawater to highlight the danger the island nation faces as a result of the climate crisis; and Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny.
Pope Francis was nominated for his work to address the climate catastrophe, and WIKILEAKS founder Julian Assange was nominated for his “battle for human rights, democracy, and freedom.” Members of governments, university professors, members of international courts of law, former winners, and members of the board of directors of organizations that have previously won may submit nominees if they meet the strict nomination criteria.
The Norwegian Nobel Institute, which awards the Nobel Peace Prize, does not comment on nominations — the names of nominators and unsuccessful nominees are kept secret for 50 years – but it is required to accept nominations, construct a shortlist, and pick the laureates, who are revealed in October. Nobel Peace Prize nominees have always been more controversial or shocking than their scientific counterparts. In 2021, Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump were both nominated.
Any person who fits the nomination criteria may submit a nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize. It is not necessary to provide a letter of invitation. The names of the nominees, as well as other details regarding the nominations, will not be published for another 50 years.
