It’s official. Greece submitted a request to the Nobel committee asking the nomination of Greek islanders who have helped Syrian and other refugees for the Nobel Peace Prize 2016. The relevant campaign was organized by international campaign by grassroots group Avaaz that has collected more than 638,000 signatures online asking for the Nobel Prize for the Greek islanders who “have opened their homes and hearts” to thousands of refugees and migrants in 2015.
However it can be difficult to identify the Greek winners among individual helpers and around 12 non-governmental rescue organizations and thousands of volunteers from Greece and abroad.
the Greek Committee that submitted the request has proposed
- Amalia (Militsa) Kamvyssi, 83, – one of the grannies who bottle-fed a refugee baby right after his rescue.
- Stratis Valiamos, a fisherman on Lesvos who has rescued a lot of refugees from drowning
- US actress Susan Sarandon who made a short trip to Lesvos, held hands with the refugees and reported about it.
The Greek Committee consist of the Academy of Athens, the Greek Culture Foundation, the Greek Olympic Committee and the Conference of Rectors of Greek universities.
“The proposed represent all the people of the islands and solidarity standing next to refugees, defending the values of peace, freedom and solidarity,” said the president of the Academy of Athens Thanassis Valtinos.
230 academics from 111 universities around the world submitted also their own petition before the Monday deadline Nobel nominations in a move which has won support from European MPs, artists, politicians and the Greek media. Nobelists Christopher Pissarides and Desmond Tutu are said to be among those who have backed the initiative.
The decision of the Norwegian Nobel Price Committee are expected in autumn 2016.
PS if you ask me, the Nobel Peace Price should be symbolically shared by granny Militsa and Fisherman Stratis – as they represent the thousands of simple people who did their best to give a helping hand to the crowds of desperate souls fleeing war and persecution.
A Nobel Peace Prize has a symbolical worth anyway – Remember the Nobel Peace Prize the European Union won in 2012? Despite the Price, or because of it, the powerful European institution managed to divide Europe, after all….
Ermm… the Greek islanders definitely deserve NPP, not just symbolic but the financial award as well. The big question here though is exactly what AVAAZ is trying to do. Since they have been funded by all the usual suspects for more war, promote groups that commit war crimes, cheer on “moderate” beheaders in Syria and all other uncooperative nations,push false stories and black propaganda,etc. What is their angle in promoting anything peace related??? Soros will keep funding them so they can keep promoting his desires, but those wishes are what is causing all these people to flee their home countries and head to countries that destroyed everything they had at home.
Since the Prize has been awarded to groups before, its as if by recommending individuals, two of which barely qualify considering the huge efforts of tireless others, they want to LOSE the award. It should go to ALL the islands that have helped.
And with all due respect why Susan Sarandon….?
why Susan? to add some glam to 83-year-old granny… :p
I agree totally and posted similar comments elsewhere.
Ermmm…. For starters…Financial reward??? The Nobel Prize does not have any financial reward as stated in the article. Your sweeping comments about Avaaz…as a supporter of many Avaaz petitions (selective to causes I support, locally and internationally), I did a bit of research. It is not perfect. Google – Avaaz, Soros, NGOs and petitions. Substantiate your claims through backed up authenticated facts particularly your claim for the reason behind the refugee situation, and then I’ll take you seriously.