2004 Nobel Peace Prize Forum
"The bond of our common humanity is stronger than the divisiveness of our fears and prejudices. God gives us the capacity for choice. We can choose to alleviate suffering. We can choose to work together for peace. We can make these changes--and we must."

Jimmy Carter
Nobel Peace Prize Acceptance Speech
December 10, 2002

In honoring the work of Jimmy Carter, 2002 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize Forum, "Striving for Peace: Roots of Change," affirms the power of everyday individuals to nourish the roots of peace. Along with Jimmy Carter, we believe that lasting peace requires change at the grassroots: not only international conflict resolution but civil institutions to settle differences fairly; not only democracy but its foundation, human rights; not only food and shelter but self-sustaining economic opportunity. We believe as well that individuals have the power to effect change--and do so daily by such actions as inoculating children against disease; sustaining natural resources; building and staffing schools; using micro-loans to support self-sufficiency; developing culturally appropriate civic institutions. Identifying the great disparity between rich and poor as the root cause of most of the world's ills, Carter has demonstrated stamina and tenacity, creativity and flexibility in developing programs to more fairly distribute the world's resources. This Forum celebrates these initiatives, as well as grassroots innovations around the world. It invites us to choose to be peacemakers and equips us with the knowledge and skills to take action where we live. Such grassroots activism is our best hope for a world in which all people are healthy, sheltered, clothed, fed and living in peace.

The planners of the 16th annual Nobel Peace Prize Forum gratefully acknowledge the assistance and support of:
The Kloeck-Jenson Endowment for Peace and Justice
Eleanor and John Yackel
The Ella and Kaare Nygaard Foundation
Dr. Patrick and JoAnn Kraft
Eric and Laurie Tostrud
Lars and Molly Erdahl
St. Olaf Social/Applied Sciences’ "Globalization and Social Responsibility" Conference
St. Olaf Student Government Association
United Nations Foundation
Kari Alberg, 2004 logo illustration
Mr. and Mrs. Dean L. Buntrock
Bon Appétit
Icelandair “Discover Our World”
Minnesota International Center
Northfield Printing
Royal Norwegian Consulate General, Minneapolis
The Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation (Visiting Fellows Program)

The annual Nobel Peace Prize Forum also receives generous ongoing support from:
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Rewoldt

We call your attention to these additional peace-promoting events:
Nobel Peace Prize Festival
International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence
for the Children of the World (2001–10)