Ban describes Malala as 'symbol of hope'

Pakistani rights activist Malala Yousufzai has expressed hope to be a leader to serve the world during video conversation with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, who described the 14-year old as a "symbol of hope".

Pakistani rights activist Malala Yousufzai has expressed hope to be a leader to serve the world during video conversation with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, who described the 14-year old as a "symbol of hope".

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"I can walk. I can talk. I can do anything," Yousufzai told the UN chief in an online video conversation on Friday according to his spokesperson here.

Ban said the young girl, who was attacked by the Taliban last year for opposing restrictions on girls' education, is "a symbol of hope, a daughter of the United Nations."

"The UN will always be with you and the many people like you," he told Malala.

"If we educate a woman, we educate a family, a community and a country," Ban said.

Yousufzai told Ban that she wants to be a leader and "to serve this whole world."

She added that she volunteered herself to work for the rights of girls and the rights of all people.

Ban told Yousufzai that he was "deeply impressed" and looked forward to meeting her.