Emma Watson & Malala: Amazing Interview

Learn English with Emma Watson and Malala Yousafzai. Watch Emma Watson’s Emotional, Engaging Interview with Nobel Prize Winner Malala Yousafzai. Although the two have completely different backgrounds, Watson and Yousafzai proved to be the perfect conversational match, as both are young, eloquent activists who have delivered powerful speeches at the U.N. During the course of the conversation, which opened the Into Film Festival, the two discussed He Named Me Malala, the documentary inspired by Yousafzai’s story; a potential female president for the U.S.; and why feminism can be such a tricky word.

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Malala Yousafzai:

“One child, one teacher, one pen, and one book can change the world.” Malala Yousafzai

Emma Watson & Malala – FULL TRANSCRIPT:

“Emma Watson:

Hello everyone. I’m Emma Watson. I’m delighted to be welcoming you all to the opening of the, Into Film Festival. It’s an honor to be joined by Malala Yousafzai. Hello, Malala.

Malala Yousafzai:

Hello.

Emma Watson:

First, I just wanted to say how wonderful I thought the film was and that you’re just my absolute hero. So, this is…

Malala Yousafzai:

It’s my great honor to see you as well.

Emma Watson:

Ah, that’s really kind. Thank you.

Emma Watson:

I think the best part of the film for me was that you got to see what obviously made you so extraordinary, but more importantly, ordinary, which shows that anyone can encourage change. And I just thought that was a wonderful message from the film. Do you have a sense of a tangible goal that you would like the Malala fund to reach within your lifetime?

Malala Yousafzai:

So, it’s my simple dream and very straightforward. I want to see every child to get quality education. And in order to make sure that their dream comes true, we have to work hard, and we have to take action. And that’s why through the Malala fund, we are working each and every day and now the sustainable development goals are going to be set up. So, we are raising our voice saying that not just primary education should be focused on, but both primary and secondary education should be available to every child. And this has been my mission and I’ll make it come true. I’ll try my best.

Emma Watson:

How does it feel to have your story shown on film and screen to thousands of young people today as part of the Into Film festival?

Malala Yousafzai:

It’s quite interesting, but I don’t like seeing myself on TV, or I can’t even hear my voice. So, but once the film was made and I watched it, it really inspired me the way Davis Guggenheim, the director of the film has delivered our story through animation and spread the message of education across the world. And it was his commitment to this call that led to this, the making of this movie. And it covers, as you have seen it, it covers like the family story and how we stood up for the right to education at that hard time of terrorism in SWAT Valley.

So, hopefully the message will spread, and it will inspire more people to come together and join the campaign that we are having through the Malala fund, hashtag with Malala and to come together and do something. It’s not just that you watch the film, but you do something. And I want this movie not just to be a movie, but a movement.

Emma Watson:

That’s amazing. And I thought that the animation in the film was so beautiful and I loved the mythology behind it. And it just really, it was so beautifully done and so well told. And I completely agree with you. I think it’s great that people are watching the film and it’s wonderful, but it’s great that you want people to really do something and take action as well, and that this is about a movement, not just a film. I think it’s amazing that it’s going so far beyond that.

Apart of the film that really touched me, it was how big of a role, you know, your father has played in your life and in the film. How would you respond to anyone who said that, you know, men can’t be feminists or shouldn’t be campaigning for girl’s rights?

Malala Yousafzai:

Well, my father, he has set an example to all parents, in all male, all men that if we want equality, if we want equal rights for women, then we have to, men have to step forward. Because if we complain that women don’t get equality, equal rights, it means like all the things are taken by men. So, they need to step back and say, we want, we’re here to support. So, it can’t happen that men are just thinking it’s just a few women’s job who are crazy feminist, and they’re going to change it. And things are going to be changed soon. It’s not going to happen like this. We all have to work together. That’s how change will come. And this is the role that my father has taken. He believes in women’s rights; he believes in equality and he calls himself a feminist.

But interestingly, this word feminism, it has been a very tricky word. And I had, when I heard it the first time I was, I heard it in like I heard some negative responses and some positive ones, and I hesitated in saying, am I a feminist or not? And then after hearing your speech when you said, if not now, when, if not me, who, I decided that there’s no way, and there’s nothing wrong by calling yourself a feminist. So, I am a feminist and you all should be feminist because feminism is another word for equality.

Emma Watson:

Wow. I’m so moved to hear that. That’s absolutely amazing. And I agree with you. It’s become this really difficult word, but I think it’s wonderful when people do embrace it, because it should be synonymous with equality.

Malala Yousafzai:

People have forgotten its definition.

Emma Watson:

They really, really have. So, that’s wonderful. Wow. I’m so moved to hear that. Well, it’s kind of a similar question, but what would you say to people who argue that religion and educating women are odds? I thought, again, it was so wonderful in the film to show how important your faith and your spirituality were in giving you strength to do the work that you do. I just thought that was such a wonderful part of the film, but what would you say to people that, you know, that use scripture to say that women shouldn’t be educated or that argue that educating women is a Western concept or a Western idea?

Malala Yousafzai:

I think people fail to understand religious beliefs, especially when it comes to Islam. They have failed to understand that Islam, the word Islam means peace. So, they have failed to understand that the very first word of the Holy Quran was Iqra, which means read. It wasn’t that only male should read it and not female. It was about reading; it was about learning and getting knowledge.

So, in Islam, you believe that God has sent you to this Earth, you are there to gain knowledge, to learn and to discover more. And this is what we are here for. And so, people have just misinterpreted the religion. And for me, Islam is a religion of peace, which is for the goodness of whole humanity. And it’s for the brotherhood, kindness, patience, love for each other. And I don’t know why, like people just go crazy and kill each other and start terrorism. Just live a better life and be kind. Why is it so hard to love each other?

Emma Watson:

That’s amazing. And yes, I completely.

Malala Yousafzai:

In terms of brothers, it’s different because I have two brothers and we are never good to each other. We fight. That’s a separate case, but overall…

Emma Watson:

I can relate. I actually have brothers. There’s a lot of fighting that goes on, it’s not very peaceful.

Malala Yousafzai:

All my prayers are with you. Yeah.

Emma Watson:

Yeah. Tough for the parents. I was wondering, are you excited to see Hillary Clinton, a woman running for president in the US?

Malala Yousafzai:

Well, I don’t really have any views about, like I don’t really know, I haven’t really decided on which political side I am in America.

Emma Watson:

I know.

Malala Yousafzai:

But yeah, I really want, I really think America needs a woman president. That’s what I think.

Emma Watson:

I agree with this. I agree with this. Very trivial question compared to some of the others about, I had to ask, that really, really bright pink color that you wear, it’s one of my absolute favorite colors and I see you wear that a lot, and I wondered if it was lucky or if it had any sort of special meaning to you.

Malala Yousafzai:

I don’t know this, but I have always liked pink color. And when I was going to the UN speech, I wore pink that day. I don’t know why. And so, yes. And now the film…

Emma Watson:

Is all pink, orange.

Malala Yousafzai:

Is all orange and pink. So, I think it’s everywhere.

Emma Watson:

Yeah. Must be a thing. I feel it’s nice because I get the impression that you’re someone who is generally sort of, you know, shy that is struggling with all of the attention that’s being thrust on her. But I thought it was wonderful that you have chosen this bright color, which meant that you wanted to be seen and, you know, and you wanted to spread your message in spite of that. And I thought that was wonderful.

Malala Yousafzai:

Thank you.

Emma Watson:

As a big book fan, I have to ask you, what was your last favorite book? Was there anything that you read in the last year that you just fell in love with?

Malala Yousafzai:

Right now, I’m reading, A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini and it’s just beautiful. Everyone should read it.

Emma Watson:

It’s a wonderful book. I’ve also read this book and it’s an amazing book.

Malala Yousafzai:

I just can’t explain it, it’s like the best book created.

Emma Watson:

I was curious, what are the thing you found the strangest about England compared to Pakistan? What they all would be?

Malala Yousafzai:

So, in our books, we studied that there are four seasons and in Pakistan we had four seasons, but in the UK, I just found that was one season, it was always winter. That was quite surprising. Then, and then the surprising thing was that in the UK, people follow traffic rules.

Emma Watson:

Ah. Yes.

Malala Yousafzai:

Yeah. Which is quite surprising. In our country, maybe name a few cities, people are nice, but in the rest of the country, no traffic rules at all. So, that was quite surprising. But then more than that, it’s the love of people and how they have given so much support. And I have never felt, like being from another country, it’s just, I have so many friends here. And all the teachers in my school, they have been supporting me and keeping me like a normal girl. And that’s what’s really good. And I love it. Yeah. I’m going to stay here.

Emma Watson:

Okay. I’m glad to hear that. I’m really glad to hear that because I know you have to deal with being famous. And I was going to ask you, what I sometimes get asked, which would be what you would do if you could be anonymous for a day. And then it sorts of, it stopped me dead in my tracks because I realized exactly what you would do. And it really struck me, you know, what you’ve sacrificed for your ideals and your dream and this movement. And it made me really emotional actually. And so, I just wanted to thank you again for being who you are and for being so brave. So, other than going home, is there anything that you liked the idea of doing, if you could be, if you had magical powers and you could be invisible for a day, what you would do?

Malala Yousafzai:

Well, I haven’t gone back to Pakistan for three years, since that, I again, I’d love to go back to my country and it’s just to achieve the goal I have, because sometimes people feel like I’ve got the Nobel peace prize and the book and the film they’re released. And like, there’s nothing else that I need. But people fail to understand that my goal, which is to see every child going to school hasn’t been achieved yet. And that’s what I want to see come true.

And it’s really important that we come together, and we support each other. This is about the future of all those 66 million girls who cannot go to school right now. It’s about our future, it is going to affect every one of us. If so, many children are out of school, they don’t get education and they have, girls especially, they have potential. They can contribute to society. If you are stopping half of the population not to come forward, how can you think of progress and achievements? So, it’s important that we think it’s our responsibility to participate actively in bringing change. It’s we who can bring change.

Emma Watson:

66 million girls is such a huge number. It’s such a massive number to think about that can’t go to school. So, those are my questions. I know that, very sweetly, we have questions from members of the audience, which is brilliant. So, I’ll stop taking up all of the time. Why is it important for girls and boys to be treated equally? And this is from Grace Dane at Mill Primary School in Leicester.

I think, it’s that to treat everyone as a human being. And just because your gender is different, does not mean that you should be treated differently, and you should have certain jobs and you shouldn’t have certain things in your life. That’s like the very, you churn that very concept of inequality based on your gender. Your gender should not be any, it should not create any difficulty in the choices that you make. It’s a very simple thing. Like it’s about equality, t’s about feminism. It’s about saying that we’re all human beings. Why you separate us, just because our gender is different.

Emma Watson:

Slightly agree. Which of your teachers inspired you the most? And this is from Delano, in Manchester.

Malala Yousafzai:

I should say like, my father was a teacher and he inspired me, but your parents can be your teachers. And it’s like the first stage when you start learning. But also, I love all my teachers. Here in the school, in the UK and all my teachers in Pakistan school. I just love all of my teachers. I kind of, I’m really scared of teachers as well. Yeah.

Emma Watson:

Okay. So, love and fear, both together.

Malala Yousafzai:

Yeah.

Emma Watson:

That’s good. If you could give us, 12-13-year old any advice, what would it be? And this is from Jake in Northern Ireland.

Malala Yousafzai:

I think an important thing that you should know at this stage, 12, 13 years of age, is that don’t think that you are young, and you can’t do something. When I was writing the blog for BBC, I was just 11 years old. When I started speaking out, that was my age, the age which you are at. So, don’t think that your age can stop you from going forward. As we talk about gender, as we talk about religion and all these things, age is also one of them. So, don’t think you’re young, so you don’t have ideas and your ideas won’t work. And sometimes we just think I’m young, so I am not at the stage where I can just make a bigger change and I can explore all the big, bigger ideas. Age cannot put limit to what you want to do. So, come forward and do the things that you want to do. Don’t think that one day I will grow up and I’ll do things. Don’t wait for the stage. It would be too late.

Emma Watson:

Yeah. Now is the time.

Malala Yousafzai:

Yes.

Emma Watson:

Ageism is a huge issue actually. And every voice feeling is important. Are you enjoying your education these days in your school in Birmingham? And this question’s from Elisa in Cheshire.

Malala Yousafzai:

Oh, yes. I am enjoying my education. Well, there’s a lot to do right now because I’m doing A levels. It’s like a sudden change from GCSE to A levels, but the subjects I’m doing are history, economics, maths, and religious studies. And I really like them. So, that’s why I’m enjoying it.

Emma Watson:

Great choices. Very serious choices. Brilliant. How is education for girls in your country now? And that’s from Asher, in Enfield and Northeast London.

Malala Yousafzai:

So, the reality is that the situation is not the same in every part of the country. So, for example, in the capital Islamabad in Pakistan, there are girls going to school. But then there are many parts in which girls cannot go to school. And about 5 to 6 million children at primary level are out of school in Pakistan. In the most of the data that we mention, like about the number of girls who are out of school, there’s no data, enough data about the girls who are out of the secondary education because no one really even count them. The number you hear are just focused on primary level.

So, that is also tragic that we don’t collect the data that we need, which is how many girls dropped school at secondary level and how many are out of school. But in terms of primary education, there are about like 5 to 6 million children in Pakistan. And it’s really important that we think of supporting them in education. Pakistan is now, right now at a stage of having, trying to develop strong democracy and improve and fight against terrorism. And if we forget the education of our next generation, I don’t think we won’t be able to achieve that progress. We need to educate the future generation and then they can build a more peaceful and better Pakistan.

Emma Watson:

What would you say to young people who do not like, enjoy or appreciate school? And this is for Ms. Skinner. She’s a teacher in Cardiff.

Malala Yousafzai:

Well, I should tell that, like my brothers, I tell them every day that they should focus on their studies because they spend their time on Xbox and computers. And sometimes we, like we go to school every day and it’s for many, many years of our life. But in between you forget its importance. And I know its importance because when I was 11, I was stopped from going to school. And the next day when I woke up and I just could not go to school and I could not believe it that for the rest of my life, I wouldn’t be able to study at all. And I wouldn’t be able to become a doctor or teacher, or anything I liked. And that was the stage when I realized that education is really important for every child.

So, before you see this stage, realize it now, I don’t want you to go through that situation ever. So, realize that it’s for your future, it is for the future of your country. In a way you are contributing to your society. And just believe in yourself, believe in the power of education.

Emma Watson:

I think it’s very easy to take for granted and it is actually a gift. What do your younger brothers think about your efforts? And this is from Artem in London.

Malala Yousafzai:

Well, they’re really annoying. And they fight with me all the time. However, they’re sometimes nice. And sometimes they think I’m doing good work. Yes.

Emma Watson:

Well, that’s good. Sometimes, sometimes, that’s something. My brothers are the same, by the way. What were your feelings when you had to speak publicly for the first time in front of presidents and prime ministers and that’s from Merriam in Manchester.

Malala Yousafzai:

I think I should say, I feel really scared in school, speaking in school. But in terms of meeting presidents and prime minister, and then talking about a cause, which really matters, then you have to forget about getting nervous and the way you deliver the speech. Forget all those things and say, what’s in your heart. Do not hesitate. When I was meeting the president of Nigeria to talk about the girls who are abducted by Boko Haram, I said it very clearly that, what are you doing? What have you done so far? Because three months had passed, and the president had not even met them.

And then he announced that he would meet the parents. This is, you say it clearly, why to hesitate, why to stop yourself. And like before, it was meeting the president of America, Barack Obama or anyone, I say things very, very clearly because it’s not for me, it’s for children and their future.

Emma Watson:

It’s great that you see it as something which isn’t, it’s personal obviously, but it’s so much bigger than that. And you use the power and the strength of that to really, you know, push away any nerves, which is great. How did you find the filmmaking process and what did you learn from it? It’s from Olivia in East Lothian.

Malala Yousafzai:

It was very long. It covered the two years journey of my life and, like going to Jordan and just be called for the senior deputy children, going to Nigeria and Kenya and giving speeches, meeting world leaders, which also tells the story of our family. So, it was a very, it was a great experience working together with Davis Guggenheim. And then, I didn’t know what am I going to see at the end and the way that he made it was very beautiful, especially the animation. Because I was wondering how is he going to tell the story of my father, my mother, and our past, and he has done it very well.

Emma Watson:

What do you plan to do next to further promote equality? And that’s from Mavis in Middlesex.

Malala Yousafzai:

Well it’s, so as I said, I have this fund, the Malala fund, and through that I’m working for education, for equality. And to ensure that girls go to school. But like, how many schools can I build? I can either build 9, 10 schools and it’s all through your support, through your donations that we build school, but then we need our leaders to take action. We need every one of us to come forward. It’s not the, just a few NGOs who have to do this work. Its each and every one of us who have to come forward and contribute to it from world leaders, to parents, to civil society, to everyone, even to you. Even if you are 11 or 12, don’t think you can’t do it. You all have to come forward and participate in it.

And now it’s time that we ask all governments where the money is spent. We give taxes, we expect something from all governments. And now it’s time that we stand up and look where the money goes. Is it spent on education? If not, why not? And why are governments not willing to help children’s education, especially in conflict zones right now, in Syria where 2 million children are now refugees and they’re out of school. And it’s important that we raise this point, otherwise things won’t change. It will just remain the same.

Emma Watson:

Voices are important, speaking out and asking governments to do the right thing. Super, super, super important. Well, we’ve got through all of the questions that we’ve been sent, which is brilliant. So, maybe I will take this moment just to say, thank you. Again, the film is so wonderful, and your story is beyond inspiring.

Malala Yousafzai:

Thank you for your time. And it’s great to have you. And I think it would be great if you give a message to all these children who are listening to us right now, because you also stand for a cause that is very important. We want equality and there would be so many boys in the audience. Yeah.

Emma Watson:

Yes, boys in the audience specifically, I work for a cause called He for She. If you haven’t signed up yet, then that would be wonderful. But we really need you as the next generation to extend a hand to the goals and the women in your life, and to include them and to make sure that they can live their lives without discrimination, and that they have access to the same opportunities that you do. And you’re in a unique position.

You have a unique opportunity to do that, to support the girls and the women in your life. And if you have the chance, if moments are presented to you, do speak up, do you raise your voice. Your support could literally change a girl’s life, could change someone’s life. And you know, gender equality is something that will affect your life too, as men and as boys. And it’s just an issue that I believe about so passionately. And any of your help or support is greatly, greatly appreciated. And thank you so much.

Malala Yousafzai:

Thank you.

Emma Watson:

Thank you, Malala.

Malala Yousafzai:

Well, thank you.

Emma Watson:

Thank you.

Malala Yousafzai:

Nice to talk to you.”[/read]

Emma Watson & Malala

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