Malala's birthday address to UN

Former prime minister and UN Special Envoy for Global Education Gordon Brown and wife Sarah have hailed Malala Yousafzai's speech to the UN today.

Mr Brown wrote on his blog: "Malala Yousafzai brings to the UN, with my support, a clear message: it is time to do more".

The United Nations should "wage a global struggle against illiteracy and poverty", Malala Yousafzai said today in a keynote speech urging leaders to do more to ensure every child gets the right to free education.

Malala said: "One child, one teacher, one book and one pen can change the world."

Malala Yousafzai told a UN conference that "terrorists are using the name of Islam for their own personal benefits."

Malala Yousafzai marked her 16th birthday by delivering a speech at the UN headquarters in New York urging leaders to do more to ensure every child gets the right to free education. She thanked the UN leaders and said she was here to "speak up for the right education of every child".

She said: "It is an honour for me to speak again after a long time, being here with such honourable people. I fully support Mr Ban Ki-moon, the Secretary General in his global education first initiative. And the work of the UN special envoy Mr Gordon Brown. I thank them for their leadership.

"They continue to inspire us all into action. Malala Day is not my day. Today is the day of every woman and every boy and every girl who have raised their voice for their rights.

"When I was shot weakness and fear died, and strength and power was born. The Taliban thought the bullet could silence us. But they failed".

Malala Yousafzai has met with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon ahead of delivering a speech at the UN headquarters in New York to call on governments to ensure free compulsory education for every child.

Foreign Secretary William Hague has sent Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani schoolgirl shot in the head by the Taliban last year, birthday wishes.

Malala, who is 16 years old today, will address the UN in New York later today on the right of every child to have free education.

MPs have applauded Malala Yousafzai, who is taking her campaign to promote girls' education to the United Nations today.

Liberal Democrat Mark Williams and the SDLP's Mark Durkan have tabled an early day motion titled "Malala Day".

The EDM states: "That this House notes that on 12 July 2013, Malala Yousafzai celebrates her 16th birthday, her first after being shot by Taliban gunmen in response to her continued attendance at school in defiance of their opposition to girls' education;

" [This House] further welcomes the work of the UN Special Envoy for Global Education and children's charity Plan UK in supporting her in this vital work".