America has once again dominated the Nobels. Of the 10 names announced so far, 7 are American. I suppose this reflects the enabling atmosphere America provides for its scientists, whether native-born or foreign-born. However, I hesitate to populate the same universe with birthplace and the name Obama, because of the temptation it offers the lunatic fringe. Not that it really needs any temptation. It generates it own dynamic all by its own unlovely self. However, this Peace award will remain controversial anyway, as happens with Peace awards in general, although you would think that when an award for peace is given, peace, goodwill and restraint will flow all around. But no. This is why the sciences are so appealing. They are rock solid, by and large. And, by and large, they improve the lot of man. But “peace” is another matter. On the face of it a good thing, it never works out to be the zero sum game that is expected of it. Someone, somewhere, feels that he or she has been shortchanged and, in consequence, retires into a sulk. It leaves nations and communities sour. Never mind the smiles and the hand shakes. They’re only done for the cameras. But deep down, there is seething resentment. So, what to do? Should we not make peace or attempt to do so? It’s better than war by a long mile. So, those who think that America is losing ground because of a President that loves to make peace, they ought to think about the alternative.
Tell Fren Tru
Showing posts with label nobel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label nobel. Show all posts
Saturday, 7 November 2009
Tuesday, 20 October 2009
Could Do Better… 2009 Mo Ibrahim Prize not awarded
The message is clear. African leaders have to clean up their act.
It is remarkable and disappointing that in the year a new kid came to the block and snagged the Nobel Peace Prize without apparently even trying, not one among the multitude of Africa’s tired old relics came within a whiff of the Mo Ibrahim Prize for good governance. To be fair, the terms of reference of the Nobel Prize are somewhat more relaxed. According to the old man’s will, the prize may be awarded 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 anyone or indeed, anything for that matter can get it just by going through the right motions. But even so, there were some years when the prize could not be awarded, especially during the periodic episodes of madness that overtook European leaders, plunging humanity into world wars. But in peace time, the committee had always found someone or some organization that could pass muster. Africans have even been awardees, for chrissakes.
But this year, the Mo Ibrahim Prize Committee found no one fit enough to merit the African Leadership Prize. Mind you, conditions for award are rather tighter than for the Nobel; I paraphrase here: “Eligible candidates must be former executive heads of state or government in any sub-Saharan African state who have taken office through democratic elections and who have left office in the previous three years, having served the constitutional term as stipulated when taking office. They must also have governed well enough for their country to have a decent standing in the Mo Ibrahim Index of African Governance.”
So, for the year 2008, not one of the retiring leaders fulfilled the criteria as laid down by the committee. Neither John Kuffor nor Thabo Mbeki was apparently up to scratch. Both of these gentlemen had been deemed the front runners, but not even one of the 10 or so of the other leaders who stepped down between 2006 and 2008 got off the blocks.
We need not need to despair, however. This is a chance to encourage our leaders to do better. They just have to try harder.
It is remarkable and disappointing that in the year a new kid came to the block and snagged the Nobel Peace Prize without apparently even trying, not one among the multitude of Africa’s tired old relics came within a whiff of the Mo Ibrahim Prize for good governance. To be fair, the terms of reference of the Nobel Prize are somewhat more relaxed. According to the old man’s will, the prize may be awarded 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 anyone or indeed, anything for that matter can get it just by going through the right motions. But even so, there were some years when the prize could not be awarded, especially during the periodic episodes of madness that overtook European leaders, plunging humanity into world wars. But in peace time, the committee had always found someone or some organization that could pass muster. Africans have even been awardees, for chrissakes.
But this year, the Mo Ibrahim Prize Committee found no one fit enough to merit the African Leadership Prize. Mind you, conditions for award are rather tighter than for the Nobel; I paraphrase here: “Eligible candidates must be former executive heads of state or government in any sub-Saharan African state who have taken office through democratic elections and who have left office in the previous three years, having served the constitutional term as stipulated when taking office. They must also have governed well enough for their country to have a decent standing in the Mo Ibrahim Index of African Governance.”
So, for the year 2008, not one of the retiring leaders fulfilled the criteria as laid down by the committee. Neither John Kuffor nor Thabo Mbeki was apparently up to scratch. Both of these gentlemen had been deemed the front runners, but not even one of the 10 or so of the other leaders who stepped down between 2006 and 2008 got off the blocks.
We need not need to despair, however. This is a chance to encourage our leaders to do better. They just have to try harder.
Tell Fren Tru
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