Malala Yousafzai named Celebrity Edge godmother

Malala Yousafzai, the Nobel Laureate and UN messenger of peace, has been named the godmother of the Celebrity Edge.

The 19-year-old campaigner, who was shot by the Taliban age 15, will christen the ship in late 2018 as part of a two-year partnership with Malala Fund, Celebrity Cruises has announced.

The fund’s mission is to secure 12 years of safe, free quality education for every girl.

Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, the president and CEO of Celebrity Cruises, said the company and activist shared common goals.

“Partnering with Malala Fund was a natural fit as we share the same passion and commitment to an incredible cause,” she said. “We believe in opportunities for all, especially as our crew onboard represent more than 50 different cultures – and amazing stories of achievement, education and economic advancement.”

“Malala is an inspiration and a voice of hope,” said Richard Fain, chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. “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.”

Fain added: “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.”

“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,” said Philippa Lei, Malala Fund interim CEO.

Malala began her life as an activist at 11 years old, 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 on her school bus.

In 2014, Malala 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 girls’ right to education.

To donate to Malala Fund visit malala.org/donate/celebritycruises