The message of von Suttner's 1889 novel, Die Waffen nieder! ("Lay Down Your Arms!"), is both daring and path-breaking. When I read this book, I was deeply touched by its power and how it provides direction and courage to us as much now as when it was written. Bertha von Suttner forged a trail and a tradition of peace work that set the highest of standards. It is at the heart of Alfred Nobel's vision of demilitarization and the soul of the Nobel Peace Prize. Her example places an enormous responsibility on humanity's shoulders to stay true to it. Personally, I profoundly feel this responsibility, and it shapes and defines every minute of my life.

Gratitude, Questions, and Dilemmas

In the midst of feelings of great honor and gratitude, this nomination challenges me to also reflect on questions and dilemmas associated with this highest of prizes. I am keenly aware that these dilemmas need to be explained. For example, I know that bringing peace and dignity into the world is not even possible through individual achievement. It cannot be derived from recognition resulting from receiving an award. Awards and recognitions can bring attention to an important cause, yet awards can also be misunderstood.

This nomination is an opportunity to let everybody know that our HumanDHS work is always about the message, not about the messenger. It is not about me being in a race for a prize or "winning." Such concepts are antithetical to the very spirit of our dignity work. If "good luck" wishes or "congratulations" were sent to me as an individual, this would rather sadden me because I would feel that my mission has failed. Instead, each of us deserves good luck with our efforts. Each of us deserves congratulations for uniting as a global community dedicated to bringing dignity and peace into the lives of others. I wish this nomination to be understood as a recognition of our past progress and an encouragement of our future efforts as a community.

I see this nomination as a call for compassionate action and cooperation. We can't wait for politicians, global leaders, or even Nobel Prize winners to lead us to the peace we seek in the world. A global citizens' movement is the only force that is large enough to face the scope of present-day obstacles to peace. Enduring peace requires gathering a global community of collaborators who share in this effort and maintain it over long periods of time, also in the face of adversities. The path to peace grows by cultivating mutually dignifying relationships, relationships that realize the spirit of the African concept of ubuntu, "I am because we are."  

Therefore, I can only feel comfortable with an individual nomination by making it utterly clear that my contribution is to serve and nurture a global dignity movement. I am thankful that the nomination gives me a special opportunity to emphasize the significance of connection and collaboration in our shared endeavor to offer our children a peaceful and dignified world. 

There is also the dilemma of different approaches to peace. Working globally, I strive to manifest peace and dignity in every step of my efforts, aspiring to dignity in all actions and initiatives. This emphasis stands in contrast to other long-held approaches. Please allow me to briefly explain. During the past millennia of human history, the world was much less interconnected than today. In a compartmentalized world, the security dilemma reigned: "I have to amass weapons, because I am scared. When I amass weapons, you get scared. You amass weapons, I get more scared." In the context of a strong security dilemma, out-group relations follow the motto of Vegetius, "if you want peace, prepare for war," or that of Carl von Clausewitz, "the best defense is a good offense." In such a context, it appears to be prudent to build strong-arm systems that define peace in terms of stability and control. Under these conditions only "small peace" is possible, and it is extremely praiseworthy to work for it, while the larger context itself resists deeper change.

Norway 2014

At the present historical juncture, the unprecedented level of global interconnectedness forces us to deeply rethink methods that grew out of the logic of the security dilemma. We can no longer afford to be content with peace defined as control; we need to aim for more ambitious manifestations of peace. There is a need to be the practice of the peace we seek. As Gandhi observed, "There is no path to peace. Peace is the path."

My forty years of living globally have demonstrated to me in myriad ways, small and large, that escalating militarization does not work; particularly when cycles of humiliation traverse the globe at high speed. Aided by new technology, militarization creates a short-term thin illusion of security, a mirage. Humanity is at a crossroad, and it is overdue to move beyond being warriors, even warriors for peace. We can do better. We can commit ourselves to doing everything we can to prevent the seeds of violent conflict from ever being planted. This means leaving behind confrontational traditions and styles of communication and preventing and reversing cycles of humiliation and violence, and instead cultivating a global climate of equal dignity enriched by a spirit of unity in our human diversity.

Some may suspect that I am a starry-eyed idealist, yet nothing could be further from the truth. My experience as a citizen of the world has taught me that, indeed, "if we want peace, we must prepare for peace" by patiently and persistently repairing, rebuilding, and replenishing relationships. Ultimately, this will be the most practical, efficient, and sustainable path to peace in our age of interconnectedness -- and everyone can join in this effort. The future of humanity depends on our capacity to live within our planetary boundaries in mutually dignifying relationships.

As many other questions and dilemmas are brought to mind by this nomination, please allow me to share one more. With great sincerity and respect, I recognize the tradition of secrecy that surrounds the naming of nominees for the Nobel Peace Prize and its important rationales and benefits. Yet, I have begun to accept that the crossroad at which humanity stands calls for exceptional interventions. Humanity needs a wake-up call to see and grasp the historical opportunity for peace, rather than allowing the floor to be dominated by the noise of the drama flowing from ceaseless confrontation. I enthusiastically join in celebrating the creativity and courage of all those nominees who do crucial peace-generating, world-saving work, and who, by their actions, walk the talk of peace.

The image of the Blue Planet stands for a historically unprecedented time, a call to re-evaluate everything that history has taught humankind so far. I wonder why we, as humankind at large, seem to overlook the historic opportunity that is open to us, a window that may not stay open for much longer. Why do we overlook that we can co-create a decent world for future generations, a future without war in any of its forms? Why are military budgets still so big? Human rights promise equality in dignity, so why is inequality on the rise? Why do so few people grasp the fact that global interconnectedness makes a world without war more feasible than ever? Why do the world's citizens allow a global government/corporate nexus to be stuck in out-of-date competition for domination, competition that fuels war, violence, and environmental destruction? Above all, I ask, how can we work together to harvest the best of what helps create a dignified future, and leave behind what stands in the way?

My nomination shines a light on the importance of our shared quest. In celebrating this nomination, I urge us to remember that our efforts together are much bigger and more important than any prize. I wish to express my personal gratitude to the many thousands of members of our global dignity movement, in particular those at the very core of our dignity work. This work is possible only through holding hands with Linda Hartling in shared ubuntu-satyagraha leadership and through the support of pillars of our work, Rick Slaven, Michael Britton, and Uli Spalthoff. Since February, the nomination has already had invaluable results for our global community. In a world where speaking up for dignity is often difficult or even dangerous, this nomination has already brought greater safety and support to members who dare to speak up, even when at risk. It is this type of courage-through-connection that energizes our collaborative efforts to build a world that dignifies the lives of all people.

I call on each of you to realize that my nomination is your nomination for the 2015 Nobel Peace Prize!

With loving gratitude,
Evelin Lindner, MD, PhDs
Founding President, Human Dignity and Humiliation Studies