Some of the recipients of the Nobel Peace Prize comes from rough beginnings, but they feel as if they should change the world in a way that address global issues. At first glance, these recipients who come from uneducated and poor families look like they will not prosper in their lives, but they have become well-known people around the globe. I chose one recipient to study...someone everyone in the U.S. should know...President Barack Obama!
Name: Barack H. Obama
Country: United States
Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for: His "extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between people" and "visions of and work for a world without nuclear weapons."
Work and Specific Contributions: -World organizing
- Arms control and disarmament
Obama saw the need for diplomacy and took action to strengthen relationships around the world.
There was a lot of tension between many countries
around the world because of the poor economy, land disputes, and various wars.
He took action by cutting taxes for families who worked hard and keeping the world's most harmful weapons from being used.
He used the television, the internet, and conferences to promote nuclear disarmament.
Most people thought that the choice to give the award to Pres. Obama was premature. The Republicans in Washington believed Obama should not have been awarded with the prize. Some of my sources said that he was awarded the prize for the future accomplishments that people thought that he would make. Even President Obama said that he would accept this award as motivation to complete the actions that he had put into motion.
“I do not feel that I deserve to be in the company of so many of the transformative figures who have been honored by this prize, men and women who’ve inspired me and inspired the entire world through their courageous pursuit of peace.” -Barack Obama
President Obama felt he was not worthy of receiving this reward, but he accepted it as a "call to action" to address global issues.
His vision for changing the world was making the world free of nuclear weapons.
Before winning the Nobel Peace Prize,
-Obama became known as the first African-American president of the Harvard Law Review.
-Obama helped lead a voter registration drive and taught at a university in Chicago.
-As a U. S. Senator, Obama did much to deter the use of some of the world's most dangerous weapons.
Pres. Obama's press secretary called him to tell him that he had won the award.
Pres. Obama inspires me to become a leader. When reading my sources, I found out that many people from many countries were hoping that he would be able to use his influence to help make the world a safer and better place. Obama helped solved problems that addressed issues of the world and in return, people gave him their trust and hopes. When all people in the world depend on the same man, it's up to him to change the world, for good or for bad. Knowing this, I am inspired to change the world in a way where all people of the world feel happy and safe.
Sources:
http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/10/world/10nobel.html
