Nobel laureate to be honoured in Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA — When Ms Malala Yousafzai visits Philadelphia to accept an award for her efforts to promote girls’ education, she will do so as the world’s youngest Nobel laureate.

Organisers of the Liberty Medal ceremony didn’t know that would be the case when they decided months ago to honour the Pakistani teenager. But the coincidence might have been expected: Ms Yousafzai has become the seventh Liberty Medal recipient to subsequently receive the Nobel Peace Prize.

“Malala’s courageous fight for equality and liberty from tyranny is evidence that a passionate, committed leader, regardless of age, has the power to ignite a movement for reform,” said Mr Jeb Bush, chairman of the National Constitution Centre, which sponsors the medal.

Now 17, Ms Yousafzai began her activism six years ago by using an alias to write for the BBC about living under Taliban rule. In 2012, a Taliban gunman shot Ms Yousafzai in the head while she was returning from school because of her vocal support for gender equality and education for girls.

She ended up being treated for her injury in Britain, where she recovered and continues to live with her family. Ms Yousafzai has continued her activism on those issues through speaking engagements, a best-selling book and nonprofit organisation called the Malala Fund.

Her appearance in Philadelphia today (Oct 21) comes less than two weeks after she became the youngest Nobel laureate, sharing the prize with Mr Kailash Satyarthi, a children’s rights activist from India.

The Liberty Medal, which comes with a US$100,000 (S$127,000) award, is bestowed annually on someone who strives to secure freedom for people around the world. Organisers cited Ms Yousafzai’s courage, resilience and advocacy for those denied basic human rights and liberties.

“I accept this award on behalf of all the children around the world who are struggling to get an education,” Ms Yousafzai said in a statement when the award was announced in June.

The National Constitution Centre is dedicated to increasing public understanding of the Constitution and the ideas and values it represents.

Previous recipients of the Liberty Medal who went on to win the Peace Prize include former South African President Nelson Mandela, former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan and former President Jimmy Carter. AP