(Washington) – In bestowing the Nobel Peace Prize for 2014 to Kailash Satyarthi and Malala Yousafzay, the Norwegian Nobel Committee highlights the important role of youth and education in creating peace and countering violent extremism. USIP is always excited about the Peace Prize, but this one particularly resonates, given the institute’s intensive focus on nurturing young peacebuilders, preventing extremist violence and advancing the peacebuilding role that religion can play in conflict zones.

For Immediate Release, October 10, 2014
Contact: Allison Sturma, 202-429-4725

(Washington) – In bestowing the Nobel Peace Prize for 2014 to Kailash Satyarthi and Malala Yousafzay, the Norwegian Nobel Committee highlights the important role of youth and education in creating peace and countering violent extremism. USIP is always excited about the Peace Prize, but this one particularly resonates, given the institute’s intensive focus on nurturing young peacebuilders, preventing extremist violence and advancing the peacebuilding role that religion can play in conflict zones.

“On behalf of the United States Institute of Peace, we would like to congratulate Kailash Satyarthi and Malala Yousafzai on winning of the Nobel Peace Prize,” commented USIP’s Vice President for South and Central Asia Andrew Wilder. “This dual award also rightly highlights the shared challenges faced by people of different religions and nationalities, and their common will to overcome those obstacles.”

Ann-Louise Colgan, director of the Global Peacebuilding Center at USIP, lauded the example that this award sets for young people. The center extends the Institute’s work to younger audiences with resources and educational programs.

“The Nobel Committee noted that Malala ‘has shown by example that children and young people, too, can contribute to improving their own situations,’” she remarked. “Honoring Mr. Satyarthi and Malala is an important recognition of the power of young peacebuilders around the world, many of whom are working hard to spur change in difficult and dangerous circumstances. They set an important example, particularly by emphasizing the necessity of education, and inspire young people everywhere to follow their passion to build a more peaceful world.”

Additional Resources:

  • If You Want Peace, You Have to Plan for It,” Foreign Policy
    Written by Kristin Lord and Ann-Louise Colgan, this article discusses the importance of preparing young people to be the next generation of peacebuilders.

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The United States Institute of Peace is a Congressionally-created, independent, nonpartisan institution. Its mission is to prevent, mitigate, and resolve violent conflicts around the world by engaging directly in conflict zones and by providing analysis, education, and resources to those working for peace.

The Global Peacebuilding Center extends USIP’s educational work to new—especially younger—audiences, introducing them to key concepts and skills in conflict management and to the challenges and importance of peacebuilding.

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