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Celebrity Edge godmother is Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai

(Photo: Malin Fezehai/Malala Fund)
Malala with a student at Nairobits, a tech-training program for young women in Kenya
With a shared commitment to diversity, inclusion and gender equality, Celebrity Cruises is partnering with Malala Fund, whose mission is to secure education for every girl. In addition, Nobel laureate and UN Messenger of Peace Malala Yousafzai, 19, will serve as the godmother for Celebrity Edge, debuting late in 2018.

Celebrity president and ceo Lisa Lutoff-Perlo said Malala's dedication to girls’ education sets an example worth following. 'Partnering with Malala Fund was a natural fit as we share the same passion and commitment to an incredible cause. We believe in opportunities for all, especially as our crew on board represent more than 50 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%.'

Fain added: 'Malala Fund also advances one of our company’s key philosophies: that education is a great equalizer, 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,' Malala Fund interim ceo Philippa Lei said.

Malala became an activist at age 11, 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. Malala survived the attack and continued her campaign for girls’ education around the world.

In 2014, she became the youngest person to receive a Nobel Peace Prize and donated her prize earnings to finance a secondary school for girls in Pakistan. With Malala Fund, she continues to fight for every girl’s right to education.

Celebrity plans to reveal details about the two-year partnership throughout 2017 and 2018.