16-YEAR-OLD Malala Yousafzai said she was “truly honoured” as she collected the Amnesty International ‘Ambassador of Conscience’ award at Dublin’s Mansion House this evening.
The Pakistani schoolgirl and activist is known across the world since she survived being shot at point blank range by a Taliban gunman in October 2012.
She’s received several awards for her work in campaigning for equality of access to education, including the Tipperary Peace Award last month, and marked her 16th birthday with an address to the UN.
Bono was on hand to carry out presentation duties, with Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters — in town for a concert at the Aviva tomorrow night —- presenting a second award to Harry Belafonte. The US singer was being honoured for his civil rights work
Sail Shetty of Amnesty International, Harry Belafonte, singer Petula Clark and Pink Floyd star Roger Waters at this evening’s event (Image: Amnesty International)
“I am truly honoured to receive this award and would like to take the opportunity to remind everyone that there are many millions of children like me across the world who fight every single day for their right to go to school,” Malala said.
“I hope that by working together we will one day realise our dream of education for every child, in every corner of the world.”
The Ambassador of Conscience Award was inspired by the poem From the Republic of Conscience, written for Amnesty International by Seamus Heaney. The late poet had been due to read the work at tonight’s ceremony.
The award is described by Amnesty as the organisation’s “highest honour, recognizing individuals who have promoted and enhanced the cause of human rights through their life and by example”.
Previous recipients include Vaclav Havel, Mary Robinson and Nelson Mandela.
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