The Nobel Foundation has reversed its decision from last year and extended invitations to representatives from Russia and Belarus to attend the Nobel Prize ceremonies in December. This move comes after they were excluded in 2022 due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Additionally, Iran, whose representatives were previously barred due to the “serious and escalating situation” in the country, has also been invited. Surprisingly, the head of the far-right party, Sweden Democrats, which has roots in neo-Nazism and is part of the government coalition, has also received an invitation.
In a statement released on Thursday, Vidar Helgesen, the executive director of the foundation, stated that this decision aims to bridge the divide between nations and groups during a time of increasing geopolitical tensions. Mr. Helgesen emphasized that the Nobel Prizes represent an antidote to polarization, populism, and nationalism.
However, not everyone is pleased with this decision. Karin Karlsbro, a Swedish member of the European Parliament, criticized the reversal, deeming it “extremely inappropriate.” According to Ms. Karlsbro, this move undermines European unity against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The Nobel Foundation awards prizes annually in various fields such as physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, economics, literature, and peace. Despite Russian and Belarusian diplomats not being invited to last year’s ceremony, the Peace Prize was awarded to Memorial, a Russian human rights organization, Ales Bialiatski, a Belarusian activist, and the Center for Civil Liberties in Ukraine.
During the ceremony, Berit Reiss-Andersen, the chairwoman of the Norwegian Nobel Committee responsible for selecting the Peace Prize recipients, emphasized that the choices reflected the urgent need for peace in Ukraine. She highlighted that sometimes civil society, rather than state ambitions alone, holds the key to peace.
Overall, the Nobel Foundation’s decision to extend invitations to Russia, Belarus, and Iran, despite their previous exclusions, aims to promote inclusivity and dialogue amidst growing divisions in the world. By emphasizing the importance of the Nobel Prizes as symbols of unity and rejecting polarization, populism, and nationalism, the Foundation strives to contribute to global peace and understanding.
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