Watch: Malala Yousafzai addresses Canadian Parliament
“Dear Canada, I’m asking you to lead once again,” the 19-year-old Nobel Peace Prize winner said in Ottawa Wednesday.
To multiple standing ovations, 19-year-old Pakistani human rights activist and youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize Malala Yousafzai addressed Canada’s Parliament on Wednesday, April 12.
“Your motto and your stand, ‘Welcome to Canada’ is more than a headline or a hashtag. It is the spirit of humanity that every single one of us would yearn for, if our family was in crisis. I pray that you continue to open your homes and your hearts to the world’s most defenseless children and families — and I hope your neighbours will follow your example,” Yousafzai said, as she accepted honorary citizenship.
“Though I still require a visa,” she said, prompting laughter. “But that’s another discussion.”
She spent much of her speech emphasizing the importance of and need for investment in girls’ education, asking Canada to show leadership.
“Dear Canada, I’m asking you to lead once again. First, make girls’ education a central theme of your G7 Presidency next year. Second, use your influence to help fill the global education funding gap.”
Watch her full address above.
