Pakistani schoolgirl and education activist, Malala Yousufzai, and Indian children's rights activist, Kailash Satyarthi, have been jointly awarded the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee cited the two "for their struggle against the suppression of children and young people and for the right of all children to education.''
Awarding the prize, the committee said that peaceful global development could only come about if children and the young are respected.
Youngest Awardee
Malala, 17, is the youngest person to be awarded the prestigious honor. She was shot in the head by the Taliban in 2012 after campaigning for more access to education for girls and has since become recognizable worldwide. Satyarthi, 60, has maintained the tradition of Indian independence leader Mahatma Gandhi and headed various forms of peaceful protests, "focusing on the grave exploitation of children for financial gain," the Nobel committee said.
He has led the rescue of tens of thousands of child slaves and developed a successful model for their education and rehabilitation. He dedicated his prize to children in slavery, saying "it's an honor to all those children who are still suffering in slavery, bonded labor and trafficking.”
'Extremism Struggle'
"The Nobel Committee regards it as an important point for a Hindu and a Muslim, an Indian and a Pakistani, to join in a common struggle for education and against extremism," the committee said during Friday's announcement in Norway's capital, Oslo.
"Children must go to school and not be financially exploited," it said.
