Malala, Satyarthi receive Nobel Peace Prize

World Today

The winners of the 2014 Nobel Peace prize attended a joint India-Pakistan celebration party in Oslo on Wednesday. Earlier in the day Malala Yousafzai of Pakistan and Kailash Satyarthi of India received their prizes for risking their lives to help protect children from slavery, extremism and forced labor. CCTV America’s Sean Callebs reported this story.

“This award is not just for me, it is for those forgotten children who want education. It is for those frightened children who want peace,” Malala said.

The 17-year-old Malala, the youngest ever Nobel winner, and Satyarthi, 60, collected the award at a ceremony in Oslo City Hall in the Norwegian capital to a standing ovation.

“Friends, there is no greater violence than to deny the dreams of our children. I refuse to accept that the shackles of slavery can ever be stronger than the quest for freedom,” India’s Kailash Satyarthi said.

The two share more than diplomas, and Nobel medals.They will also split $1.1 million from the committee. Malala says she plans to use the money to build schools beginning in her native Pakistan. She accepted her award accompanied by six young women including two friends who were also shot by the Taliban during the attack on Malala. The young laureate issued a challenge to girls everywhere fighting for an education, and a better quality of life.

“If they really want to see change, if they really want to see equal rights for women, if they want to see the opportunity of education for girls, then they have to step forward and they have to speak up,” she said.

In his acceptance speech, Satyarthi referred to rapid globalization, high-speed Internet and international flights that connect people. “But there is one serious disconnect. It is a lack of compassion,” he said, urging the audience to “globalize compassion,” starting with children.

Malala joked that she is probably the first peace prize recipient ever, who still fights with her younger brothers. But in a sobering moment, she reminded all that there are legions of boys and girls who don’t dream of owning an iPad, PlayStation or X-box. Instead all they want is pen, paper and the chance to attend school.