"The Awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize is a Call to Action"

As the Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize to President Barack Obama on 9 October, Jody Williams commented:

"President Obama has articulated a vision of a changed world -- one in which we no longer have to fear nuclear weapons, one in which there is respect for international law and a recognition that no individual, no single country, can change the world alone. I think that in awarding him the Nobel Peace Prize, the Nobel Committee wants to underscore the desperate need for the fulfillment of that vision. The awarding of the Prize, then, is a call to action. Specifically regarding landmines and cluster munitions, we hope he will demonstrate vision and leadership by immediately announcing his decision that the United States will join the Mine Ban Treaty and the Convention on Cluster Munitions."

Jody Williams was awarded the 1997 Nobel Peace Prize jointly with the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, in recognition of their efforts to bring about the Mine Ban Treaty.

More information: Jody Williams, ICBL Ambassador and Nobel Women's Initiative