Gore, U.N. climate panel win Nobel Peace Prize

Woke up to a surprising news - Albert Gore has won the Nobel Peace Prize. I am happy for the fact that he has raised awareness through a very effective medium - film and speeches. But was the effort so outstanding that it deserved a Nobel Peace Prize or is there just nobody there who's worked harder over the years in developing peace and stability in our world?

I was looking for a definition for the Peace Prize but could not find one. Here's what the Nobel Prize web site has to say -
"Henry Dunant, founder of the Red Cross, shared the first Nobel Peace Prize in 1901 with Frédéric Passy, a leading international pacifist of the time. In addition to humanitarian efforts and peace movements, the Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded for work in a wide range of fields including advocacy of human rights, mediation of international conflicts, and arms control."

Advocacy of human rights, peace movements, humanitarian efforst - none of which are applicable to Mr. Gore and his group. Moreover he has made quite a bit of money via speeches, movie ticket sales etc. in this awareness campaign. Has part of the world become a better, peaceful place because of his work? I don't think so. I do think he has brought a very important and sensitive issue into the global limelight and for that he should applauded. But don't think this was the right honor.

When looking for other less heard of people who have had more of an impact on the needy I came across this recent article in the Newsweek, entitled "Giving Globally: How to heal the world". I learned about the clinical trials that's being conducted in Ghana. I was pleasantly surprised to learn about the involvement of the big pharmaceuticals in finding vaccines for diseases that don't affect the western world, such as Malaria. These folks at the grass roots level are the people who I believe need to be acknowledged.

Then there's Bill and Melinda Gates who have shown how we have a moral responsibility in helping those who are less fortunate. There generosity in supporting programs like the research for a malaria vaccine, or education in rural areas of the 3rd world or campaigns to get governments involved has had an unprecedented impact on the lives of millions in the 3rd world. I would applaud them for their work over the years and their continuing efforts. It was heart-warming to read about the hope and passion that Bill Gates exudes.

Lastly, organizations mentioned in the Newsweek special should not go unnoticed. I was very pleased to see Doctors Without Borders mentioned. Having worked for them and being an association member, I am passionate for the work that the organization does and applaud the people who have made such work their life's mission.

At the end I think environmental issues are something that we need to look at seriously. But flying around the world, giving nice fancy presentations in air conditioned auditoriums does not solve global warming nor does it bring peace or uplift the human spirit. In my mind, giving this award was premature.

So here's someone who possibly should have won the peace prize at some point in his life - Mohandas Gandhi. He got nominated 5 times yet never won the committees vote. Why? Read more about it on the NobelPrize.org website.