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Malala says what many of us are thinking when it comes to Trump and refugees.

In an interview with "CBS This Morning," Malala Yousafzai offered some words of advice for President Donald Trump.

The 19-year-old Pakistani activist was in New York City to be honored as the newest U.N. Messenger of Peace — the highest recognition given by the United Nations — on April 10, 2017. She's the youngest recipient to have earned the title.

Speaking to "CBS This Morning," Yousafzai encouraged Trump to visit a refugee camp to learn more about the people who've been affected by conflict in Syria.


Photo by Vegard Wivestad Grott/AFP/Getty Images.

Yousafzai, who gained global notoriety for surviving a gunshot wound to the head at the hands of the Taliban in 2012 for daring to go to school as a girl, has focused her efforts on broadening access to education for children, particularly in the developing world.

"Once you educate girls, you change the whole community, you change the whole society," Yousafzai said on stage at the U.N., CNN reported.

Yousafzai's visit to America — and message for Trump — comes amid growing despair for Syrian families grappling with tragedy.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad used chemical weapons to attack a rebel-backed region of his own country on April 4, 2017. More than 80 people, many of them children, were killed in the gruesome assault, with hundreds more injured.

A Syrian child receives treatment after the chemical attack. Photo by Mohamed Al-Bakour/AFP/Getty Images.

In what some critics have blasted as nothing more than a theatrical show of power accomplishing nothing, Trump approved targeted air strikes against Assad's regime — with no long-term strategy in place.

While many politicians and talking heads jumped for joy at the show of force, many others pointed to the hypocrisy of Trump's broader stance on Syria: If the president is so disturbed by a chemical attack on innocent people, shouldn't he also be accepting those same victims as refugees in the U.S.?

It's a question that's not lost on Yousafzai.

"It's important that [Trump} understands that these people are in need," she explained in the interview with "CBS This Morning."

"And I have seen them — I have went to refugee camps — and I think he needs to go to these refugee camps."

Yousafzai, who opened a school for Syrian refugee girls in 2015, said in January she was "heartbroken" over Trump's proposed Muslim and refugee travel ban to the U.S.

A Syrian woman prepares tea near her family's tent at a refugee camp in Turkey in 2014. Photo by Gokhan Sahin/Getty Images.

Because of the magnitude of the refugee crisis, humanitarian groups have been struggling to provide enough resources to ensure such camps have food, water, and adequate shelter for the families in desperate need.

While the victims of the horrific chemical attack certainly need our support, Yousafzai reminded viewers at home — and Trump — that so do the millions of Syrian refugees who'd already lost everything before last week.  

"He needs to know what real life is like in a refugee camp," she reiterated.

Watch a clip from the interview below:

All images provided by Prudential Emerging Visionaries

Collins after being selected by Prudential Emerging Visionaries

True

A changemaker is anyone who takes creative action to solve an ongoing problem—be it in one’s own community or throughout the world.

And when it comes to creating positive change, enthusiasm and a fresh perspective can hold just as much power as years of experience. That’s why, every year, Prudential Emerging Visionaries celebrates young people for their innovative solutions to financial and societal challenges in their communities.

This national program awards 25 young leaders (ages 14-18) up to $15,000 to devote to their passion projects. Additionally, winners receive a trip to Prudential’s headquarters in Newark, New Jersey, where they receive coaching, skills development, and networking opportunities with mentors to help take their innovative solutions to the next level.

For 18-year-old Sydnie Collins, one of the 2023 winners, this meant being able to take her podcast, “Perfect Timing,” to the next level.

Since 2020, the Maryland-based teen has provided a safe platform that promotes youth positivity by giving young people the space to celebrate their achievements and combat mental health stigmas. The idea came during the height of Covid-19, when Collins recalled social media “becoming a dark space flooded with news,” which greatly affected her own anxiety and depression.

Knowing that she couldn’t be the only one feeling this way, “Perfect Timing” seemed like a valuable way to give back to her community. Over the course of 109 episodes, Collins has interviewed a wide range of guests—from other young influencers to celebrities, from innovators to nonprofit leaders—all to remind Gen Z that “their dreams are tangible.”

That mission statement has since evolved beyond creating inspiring content and has expanded to hosting events and speaking publicly at summits and workshops. One of Collins’ favorite moments so far has been raising $7,000 to take 200 underserved girls to see “The Little Mermaid” on its opening weekend, to “let them know they are enough” and that there’s an “older sister” in their corner.

Of course, as with most new projects, funding for “Perfect Timing” has come entirely out of Collins’ pocket. Thankfully, the funding she earned from being selected as a Prudential Emerging Visionary is going toward upgraded recording equipment, the support of expert producers, and skill-building classes to help her become a better host and public speaker. She’ll even be able to lease an office space that allows for a live audience.

Plus, after meeting with the 24 other Prudential Emerging Visionaries and her Prudential employee coach, who is helping her develop specific action steps to connect with her target audience, Collins has more confidence in a “grander path” for her work.

“I learned that my network could extend to multiple spaces beyond my realm of podcasting and journalism when industry leaders are willing to share their expertise, time, and financial support,” she told Upworthy. “It only takes one person to change, and two people to expand that change.”

Prudential Emerging Visionaries is currently seeking applicants for 2024. Winners may receive up to $15,000 in awards and an all-expenses-paid trip to Prudential’s headquarters with a parent or guardian, as well as ongoing coaching and skills development to grow their projects.

If you or someone you know between the ages of 14 -18 not only displays a bold vision for the future but is taking action to bring that vision to life, click here to learn more. Applications are due by Nov. 2, 2023.
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