Eight British MPs have nominated the World Esperanto Association for the Nobel Peace Prize 2010.
They include Charles Kennedy, the former Leader of the Liberal Democrats.
All MPs have confirmed, in writing, to the Esperanto Lobby, that they have nominated Esperanto for the Peace Prize. The list is as follows:
- Lord Robin Corbett, Labour
- Bill Etherington, Labour
- Roger Gale, Conservative
- Oliver Heald, Conservative
- Sadiq Khan, Labour
- Charles Kennedy, Liberal Democrat
- Lord Bob Maclennan, Liberal Democrat
- Rob Marris, Labour
- Austin Mitchell, Labour
- Andrew Smith, Labour
What is their motivation?
By: Gunnar Gällmo on February 15, 2010
at 4:57 pm
The motivation of course was to support Esperanto.
There are no votes to be gained from supporting Esperanto in a national General Election campaign.
Obviously!
By: Brian Barker on April 19, 2010
at 9:00 am
I mean what motivation they write in their nomination. The Nobel Peace Prize can, according to Nobel’s will, be given only for concrete actions made by the nominated persons themselves, not by anyone or anything they represent – “to the person who shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses” – so “supporting Esperanto” is too abstract and nebulous to be relevant for this prize. If the MP:s don’t mention any concrete work done by UEA itself, the nomination most probably won’t be taken seriously. Have the MP:s even read the will and the rules for the prize?
By: Gunnar Gällmo on April 19, 2010
at 1:48 pm
Have any of these parliamentarians been reelected? I’d be curious.
By: Neil Blonstein on May 11, 2010
at 7:47 pm
Only one, as far as I know, not re-elected, but all nominations remain valid.
I’ve already done many BBC Radio interviews, including for the Persian External Services for the BBC, as a result of this support from British MP’s, so certainly a worthwhile enterprise
By: Brian Barker on May 18, 2010
at 12:06 pm
Brian, Would it be worth informing all my UN contacts about the candidacy of UEA for the Nobel Peace Prize. I have considered contacting/informing hundreds of diplomats (whom I’ve met at the UN/New York) because I do consider it an honor, whether UEA can win the prize or not. I’ve just been a bit too busy. You’re opinion is appreciated. Nijl
By: Neil on May 18, 2010
at 4:42 pm
Please click at http://nobelpeaceprize.org/en_GB/nomination_committee/who-can-nominate/ to see which people are permitted to nominate. Please note that every kind of self-campaigning is looked down upon, so it is absolutely essential that UEA itself, and its members, _don’t_ appear in any campaign for a Nobel Prize to their own organization (the Facebook group to this effect will do more harm than good).
By: Gunnar Gällmo on May 18, 2010
at 9:45 pm
Gunnar
I am sorry that Esperanto campaigning is “looked down upon”
I am not a member of UEA myself, so where did you receive the information from that I am
By: Brian Barker on May 18, 2010
at 10:50 pm
Hi Nijl
The information that MP’s have nominated Esperanto (UEA) for the Nobel Peace Prize is now in the public domain. As I said before, the nomination remains valid.
As far as “campaigning” for the nomination is concerned there is obviously no problem. President Obama received the nomation and whoever nominated certainly was campaigning !
By: Brian Barker on May 18, 2010
at 11:10 pm