NEB Notes Nepal | Complete Study Companion for Nepal Curriculum (Grades 6-12)

Prescribed Lesson Text

Official Reading Material • ~5 min read (839 words)

### Address at the United Nations Youth Assembly (July 12, 2013) *By Malala Yousafzai* In the name of God, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful. Honourable UN Secretary General Mr Ban Ki-moon, respected President General Assembly Vuk Jeremic, honourable UN envoy for Global Education Mr Gordon Brown, respected elders and my dear brothers and sisters: Today, it is an honour for me to be speaking again after a long time. Being here with such honourable people is a great moment in my life. I am here to speak up for the right of education of every child. I want education for the sons and the daughters of all the extremists, especially the Taliban. I do not even hate the Talib who shot me. Even if there is a gun in my hand and he stands in front of me, I would not shoot him. This is the compassion that I have learnt from Muhammad-the prophet of mercy, Jesus Christ and Lord Buddha. This is the legacy of change that I have inherited from Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela and Muhammad Ali Jinnah. This is the philosophy of non-violence that I have learnt from Gandhi Ji, Bacha Khan and Mother Teresa. And this is the forgiveness that I have learnt from my mother and father. This is what my soul is telling me, be peaceful and love everyone. On the 9th of October 2012, the Taliban shot me on the left side of my forehead. They shot my friends too. They thought that the bullets would silence us. But they failed. And then, out of that silence came thousands of voices. The terrorists thought that they would change our aims and stop our ambitions, but nothing changed in my life except this: Weakness, fear and hopelessness died. Strength, power and courage was born. I am the same Malala. My ambitions are the same. My hopes are the same. My dreams are the same. Dear sisters and brothers, I am not against anyone. Neither am I here to speak in terms of personal revenge against the Taliban or any other terrorist group. I am here to speak up for the right of education of every child. The extremists are afraid of books and pens. The power of education frightens them. They are afraid of women. The power of the voice of women frightens them. And that is why they killed 14 innocent medical students in the recent attack in Quetta. And that is why they killed many female teachers and polio workers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and FATA. That is why they are blasting schools every day. Because they were and they are afraid of change, they are afraid of the equality that we will bring into our society. I remember that there was a boy in our school who was asked by a journalist, "Why are the Taliban against education?" He answered very simply. He pointed to his book and said, "A Talib doesn't know what is written inside this book." They think that God is a tiny, little conservative being who would send girls to the hell just because of going to school. The terrorists are misusing the name of Islam and Pashtun society for their own personal benefits. So today, we call upon the world leaders to change their strategic policies in favour of peace and prosperity. We call upon the world leaders that all the peace deals must protect women and children’s rights. A deal that goes against the dignity of women and their rights is unacceptable. We call upon all governments to ensure free compulsory education for every child all over the world. We call upon all governments to fight against terrorism and violence, to protect children from brutality and harm. We call upon the developed nations to support the expansion of educational opportunities for girls in the developing world. Dear brothers and sisters, we want schools and education for every child’s bright future. We will continue our journey to our destination of peace and education for everyone. No one can stop us. We will speak for our rights and we will bring change through our voice. We must believe in the power and the strength of our words. Our words can change the world. Because we are all together, united for the cause of education. And if we want to achieve our goal, then let us empower ourselves with the weapon of knowledge and let us shield ourselves with unity and togetherness. Dear brothers and sisters, we must not forget that millions of people are suffering from poverty, injustice and ignorance. We must not forget that millions of children are out of schools. We must not forget that our sisters and brothers are waiting for a bright peaceful future. So let us wage a global struggle against illiteracy, poverty and terrorism and let us pick up our books and pens. They are our most powerful weapons. One child, one teacher, one pen and one book can change the world. Education is the only solution. Education First.

Lesson Summary & Key Concepts

Malala Yousafzai’s historic speech at the United Nations Youth Assembly on July 12, 2013 (Malala Day). She addresses global leaders, civil society, and youths worldwide, advocating for free, compulsory, and universal primary and secondary education for every boy and girl, with particular emphasis on gender equality, eradication of poverty, and the philosophy of nonviolence inspired by Mahatma Gandhi, Bacha Khan, and Martin Luther King Jr.

Core Themes & Main Ideas

1

Universal, free, and compulsory primary and secondary education for every child

2

The philosophy of nonviolence, mercy, and radical forgiveness inspired by Gandhi, Bacha Khan, and Mother Teresa

3

The extremist fear of books, pens, and emancipated women

4

Reallocation of military spending toward schooling, healthcare, and human dignity

5

One child, one teacher, one pen and one book can change the world

Key Figures & Historical / Literary Personalities

Malala YousafzaiPakistani Education Activist & Nobel Peace Laureate

Keynote orator advocating for universal education after surviving a Taliban assassination attempt.

Ban Ki-moonUN Secretary-General

Convener of the UN Youth Assembly who dedicated July 12 as Malala Day.

Gordon BrownUN Special Envoy for Global Education

Champion of international educational emergency funds and youth empowerment.

Textbook Exercises & Solutions

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High-probability exam questions curated specifically for Education First.

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Exam Rationale: CDC Specification Grid Section 1 (Reading Texts - Short/Long Answer): Speech of Malala Yousafzai is a flagship text on universal human rights and education.

Unit 1: Education and Humanity — Lesson 1: Education First

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Textbook Exercises & Solutions

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