Malala selected for UNA-USA's global leadership award

Pakistani activist Malala Yousafzai, who was attacked last year by the Taliban for advocating the education of girls, has been selected for the prestigious Global Leadership Award this year.

Malala, 15, will receive the award for her role as a global activist in advocating the education and empowerment of girls worldwide, a media announcement said on Monday.

She was targeted by the Taliban for her outspoken views and advocacy on behalf of girls' education.

Last year, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon declared November 10 as Malala Day. He has also referred to her as a "daughter of the United Nations".

Malala will receive the Champion for Global Change Award in Washington on November 6 at an event hosted by the UN Foundation and the United Nations Association of the USA's Global Classrooms Model UN programme.

Together, the UN Foundation and UNA-USA represent the single largest network of American supporters of the United Nations.

Frontline polio workers are among the other awardees for their commitment towards vaccinating those that live with the threat of contracting polio, besides 10x10 for its efforts to ensure all girls receive an education and GE Africa for helping countries in Africa take on tough challenges including helping them meet demands for clean energy and water.

"The United Nations continues to lead the world as the most indispensable international organisation in the quest to solve the world's most pressing problems," said UN Foundation President & CEO Kathy Calvin.

"This year's awardees are outstanding examples of putting the goals of the United Nations into action to confront the issues facing our planet and our future," he said.