The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided to award the Nobel Peace Prize for 2008 to Martti Ahtisaari for his important efforts, on several continents and over more than three decades, to resolve international conflicts.
Throughout all his adult life, whether as a senior Finnish public servant and President or in an international capacity, often connected to the United Nations, Ahtisaari has worked for peace and reconciliation. For the past twenty years, he has figured prominently in endeavours to resolve several serious and long-lasting conflicts.
In 1989-90 he played a significant part in the establishment of Namibia's independence; in 2005 he and his organization Crisis Management Initiative (CMI) were central to the solution of the complicated Aceh question in Indonesia. In 1999 and again in 2005-07, he sought under especially difficult circumstances to find a solution to the conflict in Kosovo. In 2008, through the CMI and in cooperation with other institutions, Ahtisaari has tried to help find a peaceful conclusion to the problems in Iraq. He has also made constructive contributions to the resolution of conflicts in Northern Ireland, in Central Asia, and on the Horn of Africa.
Ahtisaari is the 96th person to receive what has been called "the world's most prestigious prize". The prize has also been awarded to 23 organisations. The Prize is always awarded on 10 December in Oslo City Hall, the date on which Alfred Nobel died.
The Nobel Peace Prize is an international prize awarded annually by the Norwegian Nobel Committee according to guidelines laid down in Alfred Nobel's will. According to Nobel's will, the Peace Prize is to go to whoever "has 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". The prize includes a medal, a personal diploma, and prize money (currently 10 million Swedish crowns).
On Thursday 11 December the winner will, as always, be honoured with a star-studded concert in Oslo Spektrum.
Source: The Norwegian Nobel Institute
More information:
The Norwegian Nobel Institute
The Nobel Peace Center
