Malala Yousafzai named UN messenger of peace

NEW YORK: United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has announced to designate Malala Yousafzai as global advocate for girls education and UN Messenger of Peace.

Malala Yousafzai, the youngest winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, will receive the highest honour bestowed by the UN chief on a global citizen, and will become the youngest ever Messenger of Peace.

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric announced on Friday that the 19-year-old will focus worldwide attention on the need for all girls to go to school.

She will be officially designated at a ceremony on Monday, followed by a conversation between the Secretary-General and youth representatives around the world on the theme of girl’s education.

“Even in the face of grave danger, Malala Yousafzai has shown an unwavering commitment to the rights of women, girls, and all people,” Guterres said.

“Her courageous activism for girls education has already energized so many people around the world. Now as our youngest-ever UN messenger of peace, Malala can do even more to help create a more just and peaceful world,” he said.

Malala rose to international fame after being shot on her school bus in 2012 by a Taliban gunman. She was severely wounded, but survived after receiving medical treatment in Britain, where she now lives and goes to school.

Other messengers of peace including actors Michael Douglas and Leonardo DiCaprio, primatologist Jane Goodall and musicians Daniel Barenboim and Yo-Yo Ma.

Messengers of Peace volunteer “their time, talent and passion” in different fields to help focus global attention on the work of the United Nations, according to the UN.