Barack Obama on Nobel Prize
TL;DR
Barack Obama expressed profound humility and a sense of duty upon unexpectedly receiving the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize.
Key Points
He received the Nobel Peace Prize in October 2009, only nine months into his first term.
In his acceptance speech, he acknowledged that his efforts were a call to action, not a final assessment, in 2009.
He welcomed and hosted Nobel Laureates at the White House on multiple occasions, including in December 2016.
Summary
Barack Obama was awarded the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize largely for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples, according to the Norwegian Nobel Committee. He accepted the award with a sense of surprise and deep humility, noting he had done little to deserve the honor so early in his presidency. The president acknowledged the gravity of the award, viewing it less as a celebration of past accomplishments and more as an encouragement to meet the high expectations set for his future work in promoting global security and disarmament.
Upon receiving the award in December 2009, the former President used his acceptance speech to defend the principle of just war, arguing that in a complex world, the use of force sometimes remains a necessary tool to prevent greater evil. This stance, particularly concerning ongoing conflicts, sparked debate, but he consistently framed his administration's foreign policy around multilateralism and prioritizing diplomacy over unilateral military action. He consistently hosted Nobel Laureates at the White House, recognizing their contributions to science and peace.
Key Quotes
I do not view it as a recognition of my own accomplishments. But rather as an affirmation of American leadership.
Frequently Asked Questions
Barack Obama stated that he was deeply honored and humbled by the award in 2009. He viewed the recognition not as a final judgment on his work, but as an encouragement to meet the high standards the prize represented.
The former President has maintained a consistent posture of humility regarding the 2009 award. He has not expressed regret over accepting it, but rather continued to frame his subsequent foreign policy actions as striving to meet the prize's ideals.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded Barack Obama the prize for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation among peoples. This was cited for his vision and work promoting nuclear non-proliferation and a world free of nuclear weapons.
Sources7
Barack Obama
2009 Nobel Peace Prize
Did Barack Obama deserve the Nobel Prize?
Obama Wins 2009 Nobel Peace Prize (Video)
Obama Defends U.S. Wars As He Accepts Nobel Prize
President Obama Welcomes America’s 2016 Nobel Laureates to the White House
* This is not an exhaustive list of sources.