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Spirit of New Zealand Nominated for Nobel Peace Prize

The sail training ship, the Spirit of New Zealand has been nominated for the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize.

"The Nobel Peace Prize has been called the world's most prestigious accolade so it's an indescribable honour to even be considered for this award", said Spirit of Adventure Trust Chief Executive, John Lister.

The Spirit of New Zealand and the other 20 sail training organisations of the world make up Sail Training International who is the umbrella organisation that has named as the nominee for the Nobel Peace Prize. All 21 organisations promote and operate sail training and youth development programmes internationally.

"The President of STI said of the nomination it was a great tribute to all those volunteers in our national sail training organisations around the world, we are all extremely proud to have been nominated", said John Lister.

"Over 75,000 young kiwis have been trainee crew on the Spirit of New Zealand or before her, the Spirit of Adventure at some stage during the last 35 years and the experience changed many of their lives, I consider each trainee made a contribution to our nomination in some way", said John Lister

The Nobel Committee does not disclose the names of nominees but the people who make nominations can choose to publish their choices and that has happened in this case.

"The Tall Ships sailing and youth development programme (STI) was nominated by Norwegian Parliamentarian, Svein Roald Hansen who described the programme as having such a strong coherence with the ethos of the Peace Prize", said John Lister.

Reuters reported last week that former U.S. Vice President Al Gore has been nominated for his efforts to raise awareness of climate change, as has Poland's Irene Sendler for saving 2,500 Jewish children from the Warsaw ghetto in WWII.

The Norwegian Nobel Institute will announce the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize winner on October, 12 in Oslo.

The $NZD 2.2 million dollar cash prize (10 million Swedish Kronor/Crowns) will be presented in Oslo on December the 10th - the anniversary of Alfred Nobel's death.

THE SHIP'S SCHEDULE

The Spirit berths at Princes Wharf in Auckland tomorrow morning Wednesday, September the 12th at 7am from a 10-day sail training voyage. 40 young NZers from Northland to Southland will disembark after a haka/song for many of their parents who will be on the wharf to welcome them.

ENDS

Please note:

- The Ship is called The Spirit of NZ

- The trust that administers the ship is the Spirit of Adventure Trust (The original ship was The Spirit of Adventure)

John Lister is CEO of the Spirit of Adventure Trust and Vice President of the Australasia Sail Training Organisation.

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