Read here about the decision by the Norwegian Nobel Committee to award the 2012 Nobel Peace Prize to the European Union, for the EU’s work to date on “the advancement of peace and reconciliation, democracy and human rights in Europe.” The award will be officially handed to Presidents Barroso, Van Rompuy and Schulz at a ceremony in Oslo on 10 December.
Following the decision of the Nobel Committee, Presidents Barroso and Van Rompuy said that “this Prize is the strongest possible recognition of the deep political motives behind our Union: the unique effort by ever more European states to overcome war and divisions and to jointly shape a continent of peace and prosperity. It is a Prize not just for the project and the institutions embodying a common interest, but for the 500 million citizens living in our Union.”
The European Commission has formally accepted the prize money on behalf of the European Union and decided that the approximately 930,000 euro will be allocated to projects benefiting children affected by war and conflicts.
● EU Children of Peace initiative: President Barroso announces Nobel Peace Prize projects to help 23,000 children affected by war and conflicts
http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-12-1392_en.htm
● Nobel Peace prize award ceremony – video
http://ec.europa.eu/avservices/focus/index.cfm?sitelang=en&focusid=289
● Factsheet on children affected by conflict
http://ec.europa.eu/echo/files/aid/countries/factsheets/thematic/children_conflict_en.pdf
● Nobel Peace prize money to be given to projects that support children affected by war and conflicts
http://archive.europa.ba/News.aspx?newsid=5487&lang=EN
● Statement by EU High Representative Catherine Ashton on the award of the 2012 Nobel Peace Prize to the European Union
http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_Data/docs/pressdata/EN/foraff/132806.pdf
● Video “Europe, from war to peace”
http://vloghvr.consilium.europa.eu/nobel/
● EEAS Nobel Peace Prize features