Race for Nobel Peace Prize amps up

The Nobel Peace Prize is awarded annually to those who have done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies.

Going on strike from school for the climate on a rainy Friday, the 16-year-old Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg says that she has forgotten what life used to be like before she started her campaign. She recently spoke at the United Nations Climate Summit and accused world leaders of not doing enough to decelerate climate change.

Angela Merkel, who has been the Chancellor of Germany since 2005 and currently serves her fourth term, is also a contender. Her decision in 2015 to allow more than a million migrants into the country has earned her respect worldwide and increasing criticism at home.

The French President Emmanuel Macron. 

The New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is among the potential contenders.  She drew worldwide praise for her response to the Christchurch mosque shootings, after which she tightened gun laws in the country. She has also highlighted social media's role in the propagation of violence and extremism. 

The South Korean President is also in the race for the prize, especially for attempting to soften the relationship between the two Koreas. One of the contributing factors could also be his promotion of peace during the Winter Olympic Games in Pyeongchang.

Kim Jong Un, the leader of North Korea, has been in the run for the prize ever since the talks between the United States President Trump and him began. In his home country, reports suggesting his candidature have been circling for a long time. Both the leaders have threatened each other with nuclear war for over a year.

Carles Puigdemont, who fled into exile in Belgium to avoid detention for sedition after organising an illegal referendum in Catalonia last October is perceived as another contender.

Eighteen American Republican lawmakers wrote to the Nobel committee in May last year to nominate President Trump for the prize “in recognition of his work to end the Korean War, denuclearise the Korean peninsula and bring peace to the region” He did not win last year.

Pope Francis has been credited as the harbinger of change within the Roman Catholic Church for his attempt at shifting the religious organisation to a more a humble footing.