The 1970 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to the American agronomistNorman Borlaug (1914–2009) "for having given a well-founded hope - the green revolution."[1][2] He is the thirteenth American recipient of the Peace Prize.[2]
In 1937, Norman Ernest Borlaug receive his B.S. degree in forestry and Ph.D in plant pathology and genetics at the University of Minnesota in 1942. He became a researcher at the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center in Mexico where he recommended improved methods of cultivation and developed semi-dwarf, high-yield, disease-resistant wheat varieties, making the make the country self-sufficient in grain from the 1950s onwards. His success in Mexico made him a much sought-after adviser to countries whose food production was not keeping pace with their population grow. During the mid-20th century, Borlaug led the introduction of these methods and researches combined with modern agricultural production techniques to Pakistan and India. The increasing success of wheat productions earned him the title "father of the Green Revolution" and is often credited with saving over a billion people worldwide from starvation.[2] In recognition of his contributions to world peace through increasing food supply, he was given the Nobel Peace Prize by the Norwegian Nobel Committee.[3][4]
Deliberations
Nominations
Borlaug received five nominations before he was awarded the peace prize. His first nomination came in 1968 by Roscoe L. Barrel of the United States as a joint nominee with The Rockefeller Foundation. In 1970, he earned two nominations from 14 members of the Swedish parliament and two Norwegian politicians.[5]
"for his great contribution as an individual to the cause of peace and for his accomplishments astounding the youths all over the world and driving them to action."
"for his devoted and selfless work towards peace through the promotion of communication and friendship between groups that harbor animosity towards each other."
Sven Nyman (1910–1988)
"for work in the field of race relations and his courage and resolution in pursuing what he believes to be right."
"for bringing forth ideas that may create a movement to facilitate a broad and solid international understanding in a climate of détente and security."
"for being a messenger of peace and brotherhood, fighting in for the cause of human rights and building bridges between generations through his literary works."
Jean Halpérin (1921–2012)
"on the grounds of his powerful and uniquely influential portrait in his literary work The Jews of Silence and his candor, fairness, and clear trust in mankind despite all that has happened in our time."
"for his literary works and their ability to communicate to a younger generation how to speak without hatred, even after witnessing man's inhumanity towards other men."
"for its efforts to provide relief to civilian victims of the Nigerian-Biafran War and for the example they provide for alleviating the crises which will probably occur in the future."
"for its great idealistic and practical work, and in recognition of its contribution to peaceful co-operation through the utilization of an international language."
Kristen Helveg Petersen (1909–1997)
"for its outstanding contribution to the UN's International Co-operation Year and the International Year for Human Rights, as well as their fight against discrimination of the languages of small countries."
The following members of the Norwegian Nobel Committee appointed by the Storting were responsible for the selection of the 1970 Nobel laureate in accordance with the will of Alfred Nobel:[7]