'Fraternity between nations': the United Nations and its specialized agencies and staff have been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize eight times over the course of half a century, from 1950 to 2001.

As the United Nations celebrates the centennial of Ralph Bunche, the first Nobel Peace Prize honouree associated with the Organization, this section looks at the achievements of its various agencies, as well as leaders, who received the award. The Nobel prizes, awarded in five different areas, one of which is peace, came into existence upon the death in 1896 of Alfred Nobel, whose trust fund called for bestowing prizes each year on those who have "conferred the greatest benefit on mankind". First awarded in 1901, the prizes are closely linked to the history of modern science, the arts and political development. Alfred Nobel's instructions on the prize for peace were explicit: it was to be given to the person who, in the course of the year, had "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".

The Nobel Committee has long struggled with the definition of peace, basing it on broad criteria that initially included humanitarian work but not human rights. However, in time, it has evolved into a concept of the promotion of individual human rights leading to lasting world peace among nations. This concept of peace is a moral one of fraternization, tolerance, trust and understanding rooted in hearts and minds able "to turn history into a moral endeavour", as Nobel laureate Elie Wiesel has argued. The Prize recognizes individuals and institutions that "within the framework of the politically possible champion a peace which, though it might not be perfect, is nevertheless a step along the road".