Teenage climate activist, Greta Thunberg, met human rights activist Malala Yousafzai for the first time at the university, where Yousafzai is student.
Yousafzai, 22, took to Instagram overnight, posting a photo of her and Thunberg with their arms around each other, with the caption, “Thank you @gretathunberg” and a heart emoji.
Thunberg, 17, followed up, also posting photos of the pair, writing, “So… today I met my role model. What else can I say? @malala”.
Yousafzai later wrote on Twitter that Thunberg was “the only friend I’d skip school for”.
She’s the only friend I’d skip school for. pic.twitter.com/uP0vwF2U3K
— Malala (@Malala) February 25, 2020
Thunberg is in the UK for a school climate strike in Bristol on Friday, while Yousafzai is currently studying politics, philosophy and economics at the university.
The pair met at Lady Margaret Hall, Yousafzai’s Oxford college, where Thunberg also took the time to meet with other students, to talk about climate change and protesting.
Honoured to host @gretathunberg at @lmhoxford today. grateful she found time to talk to some of our students about science, voting, the limits of protest, divestment, real zero v net zero, and much more pic.twitter.com/FjcNEQDTci
— alan rusbridger (@arusbridger) February 25, 2020
Both young women have shot to the heights of global recognition in recent years, Thunberg for her leadership on climate activism, and Yousafzai for her advocacy on education and human rights issues.
Yousafzai’s activism began after she was horrifically shot in the head by the Taliban in Pakistan for campaigning for girls to be allowed to go to school. In 2014, Yousafzai became the youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize.
In 2019 and 2020, Thunberg was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts that sparked the global climate school strike movement.
Reason unlimited why I love this place. I walk out my door, up one street and see @Malala and @GretaThunberg talking outside. Two powerful young women standing for justice, truth and equality for all. So many, are so grateful, for all that you do. Keep shining bright.
📸: Malala pic.twitter.com/vCZaFfSTXx
— Dr. Jennifer Cassidy (@OxfordDiplomat) February 25, 2020