Press Release : Robert Burns Humanitarian Award
Local MP Sandra Osborne has nominated Pakistani schoolgirl Malala Yousafzai for the 2014 Robert Burns Humanitarian Award.
Sandra said,
"Pakistani schoolgirl Malala Yousafzai was shot last year by the Taliban for campaigning against and defying a ban on female education - and now the group is again threatening to kill her. Malala has received accolades for her courage in support of girls education - she has addressed the UN and later this month has been invited to Buckingham Palace by the Queen. She is favourite to win this year's Nobel Peace Prize.
The Robert Burns Humanitarian Award is a globally respected honour bestowed annually on a group or individual who has shown selflessness and dedication in a bid to save, enrich or improve the lives of others.
Robert Burns is remembered world-wide not only for his poetry but also for his passionate promotion of human rights and social reform. Named in his honour, this much sought after humanitarian award applauds the efforts of people who bring hope and inspiration, often in desperate situations, and help change lives for the better.
Shot by the Taliban in her native Pakistan for daring to attend school, Malala's life story stands out as a symbol of bravery and conviction. But Malala's activism predates that fateful day last October, It goes back to the blog she wrote for the BBC in 2009 on life under the Taliban. Her fight for education in a regressive environment has come to represent the struggle for universal education for girls in the developing world. Undeterred, she has become a voice for literacy and change. This is the sentiment behind the UN petition 'I am Malala' demanding universal schooling by 2015. Awarding her the Robert Burns Humanitarian Award would not only recognise her courage and idealism, but also send a strong message in support of human rights and gender equality. "
ends
Sandra Osborne MP
Local MP Sandra Osborne has nominated Pakistani schoolgirl Malala Yousafzai for the 2014 Robert Burns Humanitarian Award.
Sandra said,
"Pakistani schoolgirl Malala Yousafzai was shot last year by the Taliban for campaigning against and defying a ban on female education - and now the group is again threatening to kill her. Malala has received accolades for her courage in support of girls education - she has addressed the UN and later this month has been invited to Buckingham Palace by the Queen. She is favourite to win this year's Nobel Peace Prize.
The Robert Burns Humanitarian Award is a globally respected honour bestowed annually on a group or individual who has shown selflessness and dedication in a bid to save, enrich or improve the lives of others.
Robert Burns is remembered world-wide not only for his poetry but also for his passionate promotion of human rights and social reform. Named in his honour, this much sought after humanitarian award applauds the efforts of people who bring hope and inspiration, often in desperate situations, and help change lives for the better.
Shot by the Taliban in her native Pakistan for daring to attend school, Malala's life story stands out as a symbol of bravery and conviction. But Malala's activism predates that fateful day last October, It goes back to the blog she wrote for the BBC in 2009 on life under the Taliban. Her fight for education in a regressive environment has come to represent the struggle for universal education for girls in the developing world. Undeterred, she has become a voice for literacy and change. This is the sentiment behind the UN petition 'I am Malala' demanding universal schooling by 2015. Awarding her the Robert Burns Humanitarian Award would not only recognise her courage and idealism, but also send a strong message in support of human rights and gender equality. "
ends
Sandra Osborne MP