International Day of Peace: He Named Me Malala

In 1981 the United Nations General Assembly declared September 21 The International Day of Peace ("Peace Day"), celebrated around the world. It is devoted to "commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace both within and among all nations and peoples." Peace Day provides a globally shared date for all humanity to commit to peace above all differences and to contribute to building a culture of peace.

The Grinnell College Peace and Conflict Studies Program invites all members of our campus and city community to take part in this Day of Peace by attending a free showing of the award winning film He Named Me Malala, at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2016, in Joe Rosenfield '25 Center, Room 101.

The film provides an intimate portrait of Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Malala Yousafzai, who was targeted by the Taliban and severely wounded by a gunshot when returning home on her school bus in Pakistan's Swat Valley. The then 15-year-old was singled out, along with her father, for advocating for girls' education, and the attack on her sparked an outcry from supporters around the world. She miraculously survived and is now a leading campaigner for girl's education globally as co-founder of the Malala Fund.

Acclaimed documentary filmmaker Davis Guggenheim (An Inconvenient Truth, Waiting for Superman) shows us how Malala, her father Zia, and her family are committed to fighting for education for all girls worldwide. The film gives us an inside glimpse into this extraordinary young girl's life — from her close relationship with her father who inspired her love for education, to her impassioned speeches at the UN, to her everyday life with her parents and brothers.

Grinnell College welcomes the participation of people with disabilities. Accommodation requests may be made to Conference Operations, 641-269-3235.