With the excellent awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to the Tunisian Quartet, the Nobel committee retained its ability to surprise us all while focusing on the larger issues that build peace in the long term. Instead of looking at individuals or organisations that have grabbed recent headlines, it has honoured the work that created the Arab world’s only post-2011 success story, when Tunisia worked through its most serious crisis in 2013 helped by four Tunisian organisations: The Tunisian General Labour Union, the Tunisian Confederation of Industry, Trade and Handicrafts, the Tunisian Human Rights League and the Tunisian Order of Lawyers.
The committee explained that it chose the Tunisian Quartet because of the larger principles underlying its work, when it helped Tunisia establish a constitutional government that guaranteed fundamental rights for the entire population, irrespective of gender, political conviction or religious belief. The Nobel chairwoman emphasised the committee’s wider vision when said she hoped that this prize would be an inspiration to all those who seek to promote peace and democracy in the Middle East, North Africa and the rest of the world.
The Nobel committee made some mistakes and some controversial decisions in the past. Yet, it remains the single award that really matters. It was bizarre to pick the European Union in 2012 or United States President Barack Obama in 2009. Yet, choosing Mohammad Younus in 2006 or Al Gore in 2007 reminded the world that peace is not just about political or military stability, but also requires a stable planet and prosperous people. This year, a lot of speculation had focused on German Chancellor Angela Merkel for her role in changing the attitude in Europe towards incoming refugees; on US Secretary of Sate John Kerry and his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif for success with the Iranian nuclear deal and on Pope Francis for his dynamic import of spirituality into public discourse. It is inspiring to note that these world leaders have given way to a group of Arab professionals who put their country first.
