2025 Nobel Peace Prize

Before you get started, it's worth noting that the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to Maria Corina Machado is a decision that has sparked reactions both in Norway and internationally. The situation in Venezuela is tense and continually developing and changing. Below are two recommended NRK podcasts about the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize and the situation in Venezuela.

Venezuelas kontroversielle fredsprisvinner - URIX - NRK Radio
17 minutes
Published 3.12.2025

Vil Trump angripe Venezuela? - Oppdatert - NRK Radio
19 minutes
Published 4.11.2025

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Practical preperations:

The resource is divided into two parts/sessions:

Part 1: Get to know Peace Prize winner Maria Corina Machado and her fight for democracy. This is the story of a democracy that gradually turned into a dictatorship—and of a woman who has sacrificed a lot in her struggle against authoritarian forces in her country.

Part 2: Around the world, democracy is in decline. But unlike before, it is now being dismantled from within. What are the warning signs, and how can we protect democracy as a form of government? In this session, students will work with fictional scenarios that explore bigger themes like the separation of powers and human rights.

Conclusion: What have you learned? Test your knowledge with a Kahoot! 😊

Dear Teacher

What you need for session 1:

1. Open the PowerPoint presentation with video for Session 1 (see under "Session 1").

2. Print the timeline task. 1 per group of 3–4 students.

What you need for session 2:

1. Open the PowerPoint presentation (see under "Session 2").

2. Print the attachments:

• Democracy Thermometer (A3 size). One per group of 3–4 students.
• Scenario cards. One set per group.
• Theme cards. One set per group.
• Task sheet. One per student.

3. Cut out each of the scenarios (or even better – let the students do it).

A Champion of Democracy

This session focuses on Maria Corina Machado. Get to know the Peace Prize laureate through an NRK video and a timeline activity.

You’ll find the full lesson plan in the PowerPoint presentation below.

Note: Instructions for how to run the session are included in the speaker notes of the presentation. To view the notes while presenting, use Presenter View.

Remember to print any materials you may need for the activities—see the section Teacher Preparation for details.

When is democracy in danger?

In this session, we’ll explore what defines a democracy, how to spot warning signs when it’s under threat, and learn—through reflection and group work—how to recognize signals that democracy might be in danger.

You’ll find the full lesson plan in the PowerPoint presentation below.

Note: Instructions for how to run the session are included in the speaker notes of the presentation. To view the notes while presenting, use Presenter View.

Remember to print any materials you need for activities—see Teacher Preparation for details.

Check out this Kahoot quiz to let the students put their knowledge to the test!

The Nobel Peace Prize Lesson and the Norwegian Curriculum (LK20)

The Nobel Peace Prize lesson is a relevant and engaging learning activity that supports several key goals in the Norwegian curriculum, LK20. It is especially connected to the interdisciplinary topic Democracy and Citizenship, and helps bring the curriculum’s overall values to life in the classroom.

Through the lesson, students explore democratic values and principles, and reflect on important topics like human rights, freedom of speech, and international cooperation. This supports the curriculum’s aim to promote democratic values and prepare students to become active, responsible citizens.

The lesson also encourages critical thinking, discussion, and reflection, and gives students the chance to take part in democratic processes in a practical way. In this sense, the Peace Prize lesson is a useful tool for helping students build democratic skills and understand how global issues connect to their own lives.