Nobel Peace Prize 2012 awarded to European Union

The European Union (EU) won Nobel Peace Prize 2012 on 12 October 2012 for its effort to promote peace and democracy in Europe. The award was announced by Norwegian Nobel Committee.

The award was given to European Union even though the Union is struggling with its biggest crisis since it was created in the 1950s.

Practically, the EU was being honored for six decades of contributions to the advancement of peace and reconciliation, democracy and human rights in Europe.

Different Social media exploded with strong reactions both for and against, awarding the prize to European Union – worth 8 million Swedish kronor ($1.2 million)

The EU grew out of the tremendous devastation created by World War II, fuelled by the conviction that ever-closer economic ties would make sure that century-old enemies never turned on each other again. The European Union is now made up of 500 million people in 27 nations, with other nations lined up, waiting to join.

About Nobel Peace Prize

The Nobel Peace Prize is awarded annually by the Norwegian Nobel Committee to the person who shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses. It is one of the five Nobel Prizes established by the 1895 will of Alfred Nobel (who died in 1896), awarded for outstanding contributions in chemistry, physics, literature, peace, and physiology or medicine. The recipient of Nobel Peace Prize receives a medal, a diploma, and a monetary award prize that has varied throughout the years.

The first Nobel Peace Prize was awarded in 1901 to Frédéric Passy and Henry Dunant.

The 2011 Nobel peace Prize was awarded to Leymah Gbowee of Liberia for their non-violent struggle for the safety of women and for women's rights to full participation in peace-building work.

And, The 2010 Nobel peace Prize was awarded to Liu Xiaobo of China for his his long and non-violent struggle for fundamental human rights in China.

Serge Haroche and David Wineland won Nobel Prize 2012 for Physics

John Gurdon and Shinya Yamanaka won Nobel Prize-2012 for Medicine