Sail Training International’s Nobel Peace Prize Nomination … the full story
There’s no doubt that sail training and the world famous Tall Ships Races and Regattas have made a positive impact on the world and back in 2006 this was recognised with a Nobel Peace Prize nomination.
In 2017 alone some 8.6 million people turned up in person to see the ships and the young crews and trainees. In fact, more people came in person to see Sail Training International’s events than those who went to the Rio Olympics and the last UEFA European Cup combined.
Eleven years ago the impact of this was recognised by Norwegian Member of Parliament, Svein Roald Hansen who wanted Sail Training International’s work to be awarded the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize.
Svein nominated the UK based charity for the prize for its activities promoting international friendship and understanding through sail training for young people. He cited Sail Training International’s growing global activities and its international races for sail training Tall Ships as “… demonstrating a strong coherence with the ethos of the Nobel Peace Prize …. and that … Sail Training International has been the main architects of international sail training activity over recent decades … the vision they share, exemplified by the traditions and achievements of their international events and other activities, demonstrate such a strong coherence with the ethos of the Peace Prize … I am proud to propose the organisation.”
Jonathan Cheshire, Chairman of Sail Training International recognised the significant impact of the organisations’ activities at the International Sail Training and Tall Ships Conference in Bordeaux 2017. This annual event brings together some 350 people of all ages, nations, and opinions to help refine Sail Training Internationals’ mission, activities and future plans. To a packed international audience of host ports, sail trainers and vessel operators he said, “What we create together is, in most years, the largest international gathering on the planet. This a hugely powerful tool, and we have the responsibility, the duty even – and the great privilege – of using this to help build a better world. Thank you … for all you do to keep the sail training mission alive and well.”
About the Nobel Peace Prize
The Nobel Peace Prize was created in 1901 and is awarded annually by the Norwegian Nobel Committee.
It is recognised as the most prestigious prize of its kind and the Committee has traditionally used a very broad definition of ‘peace’. Alfred Nobel left most of his wealth to create a family of Prizes, the one for Peace to be awarded to the person or organisation who, among other things, ‘shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations.’ Recipients over the years have included many famous men and women, but a number of organisation too, including the International Atomic Energy Agency, Médecins Sans Frontières, the International Labour Organisation, and the International Committee of the Red Cross. 191 names were submitted for the 2006 Peace Prize, 23 of which are organisations.
The full list of Nobel Peace Prize Winners can be seen here.
The actual winner of the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize was the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and Albert Arnold (Al) Gore Jr. “For their efforts to build up and disseminate greater knowledge about man-made climate change, and to lay the foundations for the measures that are needed to counteract such change”.
Interesting fact …
Eleven years on Sail Training International is also working to disseminate greater knowledge about man-made climate change with their Sail Training Blue Flag Scheme. To-date, fifty-four international vessels have signed a voluntary pledge to be a ‘One Ocean Ambassador’ and adhere to an environmental code of best practise and educate trainees on board about best environmental behaviour on board.
About Svein Roald Hansen
Svein Roald Hansen was a Norwegian politician for the Labour Party in the 1990s.
Before entering politics he worked as a journalist, later being editor-in-chief in Sarpsborg Arbeiderblad 1990–1992. During the second cabinet Brundtland, Hansen was appointed political advisor in the Office of the Prime Minister, having been the personal advisor of Brundtland from 1983. He later, during the third cabinet Brundtland, became a State Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister from 1992 to 1995.
He was elected to the Norwegian Parliament from Østfold in 2001, and has been re-elected on one occasion.
On the local level he was member of Borge municipal council from 1983 to 1993, then its successor municipality Fredrikstad from 1993 to 2007, serving as mayor from during the term 1995–1999. He was the president of the Norwegian branch of the European Movement from 2003. In 2009 he was succeeded by Paal Frisvold.
About Sail Training International
Sail Training International works closely with the world’s sail training Tall Ships, national sail training organisations and host ports around the world, to help young people benefit from the sail training experience, regardless of their ethnic, religious or social background.
The organisation has been the world’s leading provider of Tall Ships Races and Regattas since 1956. It also organises conferences and seminars, publications, research and other services for the international sail training community. International understanding and friendship is a core value of the events organised by Sail Training International.
Its annual series of Tall Ships’ Races in Europe routinely attracts a fleet of 70-100 sail training vessels from up to 20 different countries and with 3-5,000 young trainee crews from up to 30 countries. The premier award in these races is the Sail Training International ‘Friendship Trophy’. Recent winners have been the crew of ships from Russia and Oman.
For more information email media@sailonboard.com or call Tel: +44 (0)23 9258 6367
