NOBEL PEACE PRIZE

Dear friends,

Barack Obama just won the Nobel Peace Prize! Let's define this moment as a challenge to be bold -- let's flood Obama with worldwide congratulations, urging him to go further and turn hope into change: Take Action Now, Send Obama a Message

The winner of the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize has just been announced -- and it's US President Barack Obama.

Obama himself says he's "surprised, humbled" and doesn't yet deserve itHe deserves to hear our congratulations -- and our message to be bolder.

Let's do our part to define the challenge this Prize poses to Obama and us all -- let’s flood Obama with a million messages of encouragement and urgency, pressing him to turn hope into action in the coming months on nuclear disarmament, climate, and desperately-needed peace in the Middle East and Afghanistan. Sign the Obama Peace Petition now and we’ll deliver it directly to the White House -- then forward this email to all your friends:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/obama_peace_prize

In his Cairo speech this June, Obama spoke of “the world we seek” -- one where “extremists no longer threaten our people, and American troops have come home; a world where Israelis and Palestinians are each secure in a state of their own” and nuclear energy does not trigger conflict -- a world where governments serve their citizens, and the rights of all are respected.

Obama’s words have offered a vision of profound change: all this can perhaps not be achieved overnight. But his push for Middle East peace has not yet been strong enough to overcome the resistance of hardliners in the region. Meanwhile, hawks and conservatives in the US are pressing him to commit 40,000 more troops to Afghanistan, instead of changing course to focus more on peace, development and diplomacy.

There is a real risk today that the hope of change will be lost. Leaders are judged finally by their actions, not their words. Only by following through with courageous, transformative action for peace can Obama fulfil his promise -- and only then will history judge that this Nobel Peace Prize is truly deserved.

We know Obama cares about global public opinion -- indeed, we may be his best conscience. So let’s send him a flood of congratulations and urge him to fulfil his promise through real action -- take action now at this link, then spread the word, and we’ll deliver a global flood of signatures direct to the White House:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/obama_peace_prize

With hope and determination,

Paul, Raj, Brett, Graziela, Pascal, Paula, Iain, Alice, Ricken, Benjamin and the whole Avaaz team

PS Once you've taken action, think about voting for Avaaz on the influential Huffington Post "New Media Game-Changers" poll!
http://www.avaaz.org/huffpo (voting at right of page)

Wish the photo was of 3.5m members, not just the team... -- but he's accepted the Prize as a call to action, "to confront the common challenges of the 21st century" together. On too many pressing issues, the US President seems boxed-in by stubborn interests and has not yet taken courageous action.