Jane's Pocket Change: Children at the Center
Last week Malala Yousafzai and Kailash Satyarthi won the Nobel Peace Prize: a 17-year-old from Pakistan who survived the shot of an assassin to campaign for the rights of young women in her country, and an Gandhian from India who has fought against child labor in his.
Last week Malala Yousafzai and Kailash Satyarthi won the Nobel Peace Prize: a 17-year-old from Pakistan who survived the shot of an assassin to campaign for the rights of young women in her country, and an Gandhian from India who has fought against child labor in his.
Announcing the prize, the Nobel committee chairman, Thorbjorn Jagland, said it was important for “a Hindu and a Muslim, an Indian and a Pakistani, to join in a common struggle for education and against extremism” — an important message at a time when the Pakistani and Indian armies continue to exchange shellfire across a disputed stretch of border.
Announcing the prize, the Nobel committee chairman, Thorbjorn Jagland, said it was important for “a Hindu and a Muslim, an Indian and a Pakistani, to join in a common struggle for education and against extremism” — an important message at a time when the Pakistani and Indian armies continue to exchange shellfire across a disputed stretch of border.
These two laureates both fight for the wellbeing of children: Yousafzai for education for girls and Satyarthi for basic rights for children, so they can go to school and play with friends rather than be exploited as child laborers. As an educator in a school that places students first, these awards made me think about the privilege of our place here at CSW.
Marian Wright Edelman, the founder of the Children's Defense Fund here in the U.S. has long been an influencer of mine. Her book "The Measure of Our Success" has continued to inspire me. The way we treat our children is the measure of our ability to create a peaceful world, a strong culture of equity and a place where even the least powerful have food, clothing, education and a voice. Without the ability to love and respect children how can we consider ourselves human?
We are indeed fortunate at CSW to be able to help young people find their voice and unlock their potential in a safe open community. The peace prize winners remind us of ways in which we might use our voices and ideas to fight for the oppressed and to honor the lives of children all over the globe.
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Pocket Change is a web diary written by Jane Moulding, head of school.
The Cambridge School of Weston is a progressive high school for day and boarding students in grades 9–12 and PG. CSW's mission is to provide a progressive education that emphasizes deep learning, meaningful relationships, and a dynamic program that inspires students to discover who they are and what their contribution is to their school, their community and the world.