Calling all students, educators and curious minds — here’s our discussion guide for Malala’s interview with David Letterman.
Facilitate a conversation with fellow rabble-rousers about Malala’s appearance on “My Next Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman”
Students and viewers should use this guide to discuss Malala’s appearance on “My Next Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman.” The episode is available for streaming on Netflix.
A PDF version of this discussion guide is available here.
Background
Malala Yousafzai is a Pakistani student and Nobel Laureate who began speaking out for girls’ education at the age of 11. After surviving an assassination attempt by the Taliban at 15, she co-founded Malala Fund with her father Ziauddin. Malala Fund is an organisation that champions every girl’s right to 12 years of free, safe, quality education. Malala is currently enrolled at the University of Oxford.
David Letterman was the longest-serving host in U.S. late night television. After a brief break, he returns in a new Netflix series, “My Next Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman.”
In the third episode of the series, Malala and Dave discuss her life as a girls’ education activist and university student.
Questions to answer during the episode
Write down or think about your responses to the below questions as you watch the episode.
- Why is it important for young people to speak out on issues that affect them?
- In what ways does Malala’s life and background remind you of your own?
- What surprised you the most about Malala’s conversation with Dave?
- What did you learn about girls’ education and the barriers girls around the world face to go to school?
Questions to discuss after watching the episode
Share your reactions after the episode. Use the below questions to initiate a group discussion.
- What is one topic that Malala and Dave discussed that you would like to know more about?
- Why do you think it is important for all students to complete 12 years of free, safe, quality education?
- Malala tells Dave that the world needs to fight against the ideologies that limit gender equality — from the mountains of Pakistan to skyscrapers of New York. Are there ways in which girls and women are treated differently in your community? What needs to change in order to create gender equality?
- Malala relies on her family for support as she advocates for girls’ education. When a young person is speaking out, what other types of support do they need?
- After the Taliban invaded her village and banned girls from going to school, Malala began campaigning for girls’ education at age 11. What issues are important to you? What can you do or are you doing to advocate for your beliefs?
- In this episode, Malala reveals for the first time that the Taliban gunman who shot her on the school bus was a teenage boy. What can governments, educators and students do to ensure that schools are safe places for everyone?
- Malala tells Dave that forgiveness can often be the best form of revenge. Have there been times in your life when it was difficult to forgive someone? Why is forgiveness important?
Get involved
- Let us know what you think of the show! Share photos of your viewing party on Twitter and Instagram using #MalalaLetterman.
- Follow @MalalaFund on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to learn about young female leaders around the world. Help amplify their voices by sharing their stories with your family and friends.
- Do you have a message for Malala? You can send her a postcard! Tell her why girls are out of school in your community or why you are determined to see all girls complete their education.
- During the episode, Malala discusses how girls’ education is the best investment in the future peace and prosperity of our world. If you want to support Malala’s work, start a fundraiser.
