Nobel Peace Prize 2012

The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided that the Nobel Peace Prize for 2012 is to be awarded to the European Union (EU). The union and its forerunners have for over six decades contributed to the advancement of peace and reconciliation, democracy and human rights in Europe.
Read the announcement from the Norwegian Nobel Committee 
 

Nobel Peace Prize programme 

The laureate gives a press conference at the Norwegian Nobel Institute on 9 December at 1 pm.

The Peace Prize Ceremony takes place in Oslo City Hall at 1 pm on 10 December, and is the highlight of the programme. During the award ceremony on 10 December, the laureate will deliver his or her Nobel Peace Lecture. Attendance by invitation only.

The day after the award ceremony, on 11 December, the Peace Prize Concert in Oslo Spektrum rounds off proceedings, with Norwegian and international artists performing in honour of the laureate.

The Nobel Peace Center displays information about the winners as well as focuses on the struggle between opposites. The Nobel Peace Prize laureate exhibition will have free entrance from 12 December until the end of the month.

Alfred Nobel and the Peace Prize

In 1895 Alfred Nobel drew up a will in which his wealth was to be devoted to the annual award of five prizes "to those who, during the preceding year, shall have conferred the greatest benefit on mankind."

The will laid down that the Nobel Peace Prize was to be awarded in Norway by a five-member committee appointed by the Norwegian Storting (the legislative assembly). The first Nobel Peace Prize was awarded in 1901, and it is always awarded on December 10th.