Nobel Prize-winning schoolgirl activist Malala Yousafzai is to be the godmother of cruise ship Celebrity Edge.
Celebrity Cruises has announced a two-year partnership with the Malala Fund whose mission is to secure safe, free quality education for every girl in the world.
The 19-year-old Peace Prize winner who was shot by the Taliban, will christen the ship in Fort Lauderdale on December 18, 2018.
Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, president and CEO of Celebrity Cruises, said Malala’s dedication to girls’ education sets an example worth following. “Partnering with the Malala Fund was a natural fit as we share the same passion and commitment to an incredible cause. We believe in opportunities for all, especially as our crew on-board represent more than 50 different cultures and amazing stories of achievement, education and economic advancement.”
Richard Fain, chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd added: “Malala is an inspiration and a voice of hope. This young woman is on a powerful mission, and we support it 100 per cent. We are deeply honoured to name Malala the Godmother of Celebrity Edge, and we’re excited to team up with her and the Malala Fund to champion the global right to education.
“The Malala Fund also advances one of our company’s key philosophies: that education is a great equaliser, providing opportunities to people who need it most.”
Philippa Lei, Malala Fund interim CEO, said: “We cannot get 130 million out-of-school girls into classrooms on our own. We are grateful to generous partners like Celebrity Cruises who support our work to help every girl learn and lead without fear.”
Malala began her life as an activist at the age of 11, writing a secret blog about life under the Taliban, who would not permit girls to go to school. She was targeted for her advocacy and, at 15, was shot while travelling on her school bus.
She survived the attack and continued her campaign for girls’ education around the world. In 2014, Malala, who now lives in Birmingham, became the youngest-ever Nobel Peace Prize recipient, donating her entire prize earnings to finance a secondary school for girls in Pakistan. With Malala Fund, she continues to fight for every girl’s right to education.
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