Byron Blake | Award and reward: Is there a difference?

In an increasingly transactional, materialistic, and individualistic world, the distinction between award and reward has become blurred. Service has been replaced by “what is in it for me” and civil duty by a “payment first mentality” even good people struggle to differentiate.

President Donald Trump’s public campaign for the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, our Heroes Day with the presentation of National Awards, and the perennial debate for the award of National Hero to Bob Marley and Louise Bennett have reignited the issue in my mind.

WHAT IS A REWARD?

The Oxford Dictionary defines reward as “given in recognition of a service, effort, or achievement” It is earned. It is a right. Failure to discharge the obligation can be challenged in court or other competent forum”.

WHAT IS AN AWARD?

The Oxford Dictionary defines an award as “giving what is deserved or merited usually after careful weighing of pertinent factors”. The “giving” is determined by others. There is no legal claim. Failure to award cannot be litigated.

The qualifications for awards may be codified, but final judgment is in the eyes of those tasked with making the award. Canvassing or self-promotion is often disqualifying.

JAMAICAN HONOURS SYSTEM

The Jamaican honours system is rooted in the National Honours and Awards Act passed by the Parliament of Jamaica in 1969 (Act No. 21 of 1969). It recognised the Order of National Hero. The Act was modified to include Order of the Nation as the second-highest honour in 1973, the Order of Excellence in 2003, and the Order of Merit in 2003. Other honours include Order of Jamaica, Order of Distinction, Badge of Honour, and Medal of Honour.

The governor general is the chancellor of the orders. He confers honours on the advice of the prime minister. But that advice follows a process. The public is invited to make nominations in a prescribed manner and within a timeframe. There can be no self-nomination, and nominees should not be informed. The nominations are reviewed and assessed by the National Honours and Awards Committee, which makes recommendations to the prime minister.

Questions have been raised about particular awardees, but these have been defended by reference to the integrity of the process. An emerging practice, accepted by both sides of Parliament, could lead to legitimate questions. We refer to awards to members of parliament after a prescribed period in the House. This could lead not only to a presumption of entitlement but to persons with few accomplishments and questionable ethics receiving awards. This could reduce the prestige of awards.

The almost annual increase in the number of awards in each category could also lead to a weakening in the prestige of the awards.

AWARD OF NATIONAL HERO

The award of National Hero can be made to a person born in or living in Jamaica at the time of death. A “born Jamaican” can receive the award while alive.

Seven persons have been named to the Order. The last, and only one named while alive, Sir Alexander Bustamante, was recognised in 1969. There have been intermittent, sometimes vociferous calls for others to be named to the Order. A committee established by former Prime Minister Bruce Golding did not recommend extension. This discussion is healthy and should continue.

We extend our congratulations to all Jamaicans who will receive their national awards on October 20.

TRUMP’S CAMPAIGN

Donald Trump approached his second presidency promising to end hot wars between Russia and Ukraine and in Gaza on his first day in Office. He considered himself qualified for the Nobel Peace Prize because some other United States presidents have received it. He promoted the idea, claiming that he had ended seven wars. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave Trump a copy of a letter purportedly sent to the Nobel Prize Committee in Norway nominating him for the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize.

What did all this mean for the award of the 2025 Peace Prize? Nothing. The award was made to Venezuelan Maria Corina Machado.

President Trump and his MAGA followers have been furious. Machado said: “I decided to dedicate [it] to President Trump because he deserves it, … not only has he been involved in solving eight wars, but his actions have been decisive to have Venezuela now at a threshold of freedom.” Will President Trump accompany Machado to the ceremony in Oslo on December 10?

NOBEL PRIZE

The Nobel Prize honours Dr Alfred Nobel, an inventor, entrepreneur, scientist, and businessman. He left 31 million Swedish kronor (SEK) in his will to fund the prizes.

There were five categories, with a sixth added in 1968. The awards honour men and women from around the world for outstanding achievements in physics, chemistry, medicine, literature, peace, and economics.

The Nobel Prize has been awarded since 1901

SELECTION

Alfred Nobel designated the institutions responsible for the prizes in his will: The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences for the Nobel Prize in Physics and Chemistry, the Karolinska Institutet for the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, the Swedish Academy for the Nobel Prize in Literature, and a committee of five persons to be elected by the Norwegian Parliament (Storting) for the Nobel Peace Prize.

The adjudication for the award of the Peace Prize is undertaken by the Norwegian Nobel Committee based on nominations in writing by a competent person before February 1. Personal applications are barred from consideration.

President Trump could not objectively have received the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize even if he had ended eight wars. But could his high-pressure campaign and public castigation of the Nobel Peace Prize Committee ruin his chances in future years?

The rules forbid publication of information on nominations for 50 years. The 124-year-old Nobel Peace Prize is governed by rules entombed in a will and does not depend on any government.

Ambassador Byron Blake is former deputy permanent representative of Jamaica to the United Nations and former assistant secretary general of CARICOM. Send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com.