Malala Yousafzai: Fight for Education

Learn English with Malala Yousafzai. Watch the inspiring Nobel Peace Prize winner of 2014 speak about the importance of education for all children. Malala passionately advocates for children’s rights and highlights the need for collective action to ensure every child receives a quality education. Join her in this powerful speech and learn how we can work together to make a difference.

Malala Yousafzai: Have a seat, please. I know you have been standing a lot and clapping, and I know people get tired. It’s a human feeling. I’m really honored that I’m here today with such energetic, passionate, and peace-loving people. I’m really happy that the reason for which I’m here is going to be hard. That is… And that is education. This word seems a bit complex, but it simply means the right to learning. And when I come to these stages, speak at the UN, or give a Nobel Peace Prize speech, I simply ask that the right to learning should be given to every child. I ask for nothing else. But unfortunately, there are 57 million children who are out of school. For some of us, this would be really sad news, really shocking news, maybe. And it might be happening somewhere far away from this world, but it is happening in this world where we are living. It’s not on any other planet.

The children we are speaking for are living on this earth. They are our children. And they have the right to learn. But unfortunately, there are many people who do not give this opportunity to children. Either because they think that children are supposed to work for them, or the children don’t deserve it. Either that it is against our social taboos, or it is just a waste of money. And we have to fight against these mindsets. So this is a collective campaign. And if we want to see their change, and if we want to see every child getting a quality education, then we have to work together. Then we have to go on this journey, but together. So I request all of you to think today about how you can help. How can you help these children to go to school? And today, I’m really happy that at least this award is given to the children, to people who campaign for children’s rights. So this is a big opportunity for us to speak to the world.

The children are facing many problems and many issues. And now it is time to think about the future generation. It is our duty. And I’m hopeful that change will come. One day, we will see every child getting a quality education, but for that, we need to work together. We need to make it our target. We need to make it our objective of life. And that’s what I have done. Though I’m 17, not very tall, and very small… I have promised myself that I will fight for the rights of children because I cannot forget the days when every morning, I would see poor girls going to other people’s houses and suffer from child labor. And I considered it my duty to fight for their rights. I wanted to see them in school uniforms, holding books and pens in their hands.

I wanted to see their future bright. If you don’t educate children, it means it becomes a generation lost. So if you want to protect the next generation, you have to think about their education. Thank you so much to all of you. Once again, I’m really happy. Thank you so much.

Host: Thank you so much, Malala. Malala Yousafzai. Malala, you have inspired so many women and girls, men as well, as we see in this room and here and around the world, to unite and rejoice in three words, I am Malala. How does it make you feel to see these young ladies take the stage and perform a song like that? Do you feel you’re just passing it on to the next?

Malala Yousafzai: Well, I’m really thankful to them for all their support and their love. And they really give me this energy to fight more and to work more for children’s rights. And I’m really happy today. But one thing that has really made me a bit sad is that my brothers have also come here.

Host: Thank you so much. We’re so grateful. What artists have you chosen tonight, despite your brothers?

Malala Yousafzai: Well, they are like the cheeky boys. The artist that I have chosen is a wonderful person. We are proud of him. He’s the pride of Pakistan. And his name is Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan. Please welcome him.

Host: Thank you so much.