Nobel Peace Prize

Guy Ryder: "This year’s Nobel Peace Prize is a landmark moment in the fight against child labour"

The International Labour Organization salutes the winners of this year’s Nobel Peace Prize, Pakistani child education activist Malala Yousafzai and Indian child rights campaigner Kailash Satyarthi.

Statement | 10 October 2014
Kailash Satyarthi and Malala Yousafzai
© R. Raveendran/E.Wole / AFP
"I echo the Nobel Committee’s praise of their struggle against the grave exploitation of children and young people.

That Malala, the youngest ever Nobel recipient at age 17, should be awarded this honour gives real hope and inspiration in the fight against child labour and for the right to education for all children, especially girls.

The Nobel Committee’s decision recognizes Kailash’s path-breaking role in the global movement against child labour and the campaign "Education for All". His achievements reflect a great capacity to build alliances from the grass roots to the highest political levels.

Kailash Satyarthi and Guy Ryder addressing the III Global Conference on Child Labour - Brasilia, October 2013
I recall that emotional moment in 1998 when Kailash led a group of rescued child labourers into the International Labour Conference. It was most fitting that Kailash, as chairman of the Global March against Child Labour, and the children were present as the international community took a decisive step towards the adoption of a new Convention on the worst forms of child labour.

I hope that this award will bring renewed vigour to our common cause of eliminating all forms of child labour and the promotion of quality education and decent work for all."

Kailash Satyarthi: Fighting Child Labour