“Sometimes it falls upon a generation to be great”

Schoolchildren with #UpForSchool signs in Norwegian

Last week, Kailash Satyarthi and Malala Yousafzai were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo, Norway, in recognition of “their struggle against the suppression of children and young people and for the right of all children to education”.

This momentous point in the campaign for every child’s right to education was celebrated in Oslo’s main square at an event organised by Save the Children Norway. The Peace Party brought together 6,000 children and called on people around the world to sign the #UpForSchool petition, which A World at School aims to make the biggest petition ever. Thousands of signatures are coming from countries such as Pakistan and Kenya, and organisations like Education International and Avaaz have pledged to collect millions more.

And with next year’s Oslo Summit on education drawing nearer, the need for world leaders to protect, guarantee and fund education for all couldn’t be more crucial.

At just 17 years old, Malala has become the youngest recipient of the award, which has also been won by Dr Martin Luther King. Jr, Aung San Suu Kyi and Nelson Mandela, who once said: “Sometimes it falls upon a generation to be great”. With more and more people signing up, the combined voices of this generation fighting for education could make these words true. Add your voice today and sign the petition.