A peace bench for dialogue
In front of the Nobel Peace Center stands a remarkable bench — inspired by the words of Nelson Mandela.
This six-meter-long aluminum bench curves gently, drawing those who sit on it closer together. It carries the name “The Best Weapon” — a tribute to Mandela’s belief that dialogue is a powerful tool for peace.
Designed to bring people together
Nelson Mandela received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 together with the man who had released him after 28 years of imprisonment — South Africa’s President Frederik Willem de Klerk. The two were awarded the prize for their work in dismantling the apartheid regime and laying the foundation for a democratic South Africa.
“Nelson Mandela went straight from prison to the negotiating table,” said Nobel Committee Chair Francis Sejersted at the 1993 award ceremony, praising Mandela for engaging in dialogue with his former enemy without letting bitterness and hatred take over.
Inspired by Mandela and other laureates who have championed dialogue, the Peace Bench is more than a piece of art — it is an invitation to come together.
At the Nobel Peace Center, we believe in the power of dialogue. Many Peace Prize laureates have achieved the seemingly impossible through dialogue and understanding. Drawing on their experience and recognized research, we have developed 8 Principles for Good Dialogue — tools that can be applied in every part of life. Discover more
“In today’s society, with growing inequality, polarization, and harsh online debates, the ability to engage in dialogue is perhaps more important than ever. We want to put dialogue on the agenda and contribute to a culture where there is room for a wide diversity of voices. And we can learn a lot from the Peace Prize laureates.”
— Kjersti Fløgstad, Executive Director, Nobel Peace Center
The Peace Bench by Snøhetta, watch the interview with Snøhetta founder:
Snøhetta
Snøhetta, the globally acclaimed architecture and design firm, designed the bench for the Nobel Peace Center, and it was produced by Vestre using aluminum from Hydro.
The bench in front of the Nobel Peace Center serves as a reminder of the importance of sitting down and talking together.
“We believe in using design as a tool to create lasting symbols that invite communication between people.”
— Kjetil Trædal Thorsen, Founder of Snøhetta
The Peace Bench was first unveiled on Nelson Mandela Day, July 18, 2019, outside the United Nations Headquarters in New York. It remained on the iconic plaza for two months, visible to all heads of state and other participants attending the UN High-Level Week that year.
The Peace Bench to COP30 in Brazil 2025
On November 10, 2025, a Peace Bench will be unveiled at the Climate Summit COP30 in Belém, Brazil. It will stand there as a reminder — and an invitation — to all COP participants to come together in dialogue and cooperation to find solutions to the world’s urgent need for climate action.
Thank you to our Peace Bench Partners
Last updated: 16.10.2025
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