I am delighted about the decision to award this year’s Nobel Peace Prize to Malala Yousafzai and Kailash Satyarthi. Working to combat extremism and to support children’s rights, Malala Yousafzai and Kailash Satyarthi are shining examples to be followed around the world. This joint award also sends an important signal for the continued process of reconciliation between India and Pakistan.

Malala risked her own life in her home country Pakistan in a most remarkable way as she dared to speak up for the right of girls to receive an education. While Malala fights her campaign with words, her opponents in the Pakistani Taliban only speak a language of brutal violence. The fact that she has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize is therefore an important signal in the fight against extremism and fanaticism and for a civil, democratic and egalitarian coexistence.

Kailash Satyarthi has campaigned for children’s rights in India with great persistence and stamina. In his efforts to combat the exploitation of children and child labour, he drew inspiration from the great Mahatma Gandhi, adopting a non‑violent and courageous approach.

Malala Yousafzai and Kailash Satyarthi remind us of our obligation to maintain our international efforts to promote children’s and human rights with all our might, thereby coming closer to our aim of a just world.