The ONE Campaign welcomes today’s announcement that Malala Yousafzai and Kailash Satyarthi have been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for risking their lives to fight for children’s rights.

The Nobel Committee highlighted that respecting the rights of children and young people is essential to achieving peaceful global development.

Michael Elliott, President and CEO of ONE said:

“This award is richly deserved. Malala Yousafzai and Kailash Satyarthi have both shown extraordinary courage as they dedicate their lives to fighting for the rights of children to education and a decent life. They have selflessly confronted threats to their own safety to demand justice for others. There can be no better examples of the power of using your voice to demand peaceful change.

“World leaders should take inspiration from these Nobel winners’ heroic struggles and set themselves ambitious goals to give everyone everywhere the opportunity and right to live their lives with dignity. “The Nobel Committee is to be congratulated for recognising that improving human rights and eradicating poverty are fundamental to achieving peaceful global development.”