Marc and Craig Kielburger's do-gooding social enterprise. Toronto's Cabbagetown is a diverse collection of tony brick homes and gritty walkups, home to millionaires and students alike.
It's a fitting home for blockbuster charity Kids Can Free the Children, which straddles those worlds and more. With a two-storey glass front rising between small shops, the charity's head office is imposing. Inside the front door, photos and newspaper clippings of the charity's charismatic leading brothers, Craig and Marc Kielburger, dot the walls, and the staff - almost all female and recent university graduates - work diligently into the night.
Marc enters the room assuredly just after 2 p.m. in jeans and a blazer, taking a corner seat. "Very happy to have this conversation," he says with a smile. Beside him is Free the Children's executive director, Dalal Al-Waheidi, 30, a bubbly international-development graduate who confides nervously that she doesn't like public speaking. It's a problem the Kielburger boys have never had. Speakers' Spotlight - Craig Kielburger. Speaker Activist | Co-Founder of Free the Children | Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Me to We Craig Kielburger is a social entrepreneur, New York Times bestselling author and captivating speaker, inspiring millions to improve their communities and the world through daily actions.
Craig is the co-founder, along with his brother, Marc, of Free The Children, an international charity, Me to We, an innovative social enterprise, and We Day, a signature youth empowerment event. Craig’s journey as a child rights activist began at the age of 12, when he reached for the morning comics and noticed the newspaper’s front page. The headline read, “Battled Child Labour, Boy, 12, Murdered.” What began as a group of a dozen kids has grown into an international charity. Our Founders: Craig and Marc. “Listening to Mr Kielburger speak to us was like being in another world, one where anything is possible.
He spoke about how one of the goals of Free The Children was to empower young people and by the end of his speech we certainly felt empowered to get up and make a change. Thank you Mr Kielburger for taking the time to speak to us, our eyes have been greatly opened thanks to you.” — Participant, Global Issues Service Summit – Johannesburg (March 2012) “What can I say about Craig...He is truly a phenomenon.
I have had the good fortune to hear and interact one on one with many incredible speakers, from current and past US Presidents, to humanitarians, heads of state to inspirational speakers. . — Jason B. “We could not have been more pleased by Marc Kielburger's presentation to NAIMUN XLVIII. . — Faculty Member, NAIMUN “Marc’s message really resonated with our delegates, and was something that delegates could really empathize with. “THANK YOU!
— Jean Famhy “Craig was phenomenal. Craig Kielburger. Untitled. Our Story. Free The Children began with a story one boy couldn’t ignore.
Free The Children’s mission is to create a world where all young people are free to achieve their fullest potential as agents of change. And we couldn’t have a better blueprint for success: the organization was founded by Craig Kielburger in 1995 when he gathered 11 school friends to begin fighting child labour. He was 12. A morning to remember. That morning, Craig flipped through the Toronto Star in search of the comics, he was struck by a story. Iqbal Masih was born in South Asia and sold into slavery at the age of four.
A dream is sparked. Eventually, Iqbal’s wide media coverage caught the attention of those who wished to silence him. What Craig learned from Iqbal’s story was that the bravest voice can live in the smallest body. Craig had to do something. A movement begins. Craig gathered together a small group of his Grade 7 classmates from his Thornhill, Ontario, school and Free The Children was born. Craig Kielburger - Me to We. A humanitarian, social activist and best-selling author, Craig, co-founder of Free The Children and co-founder of Me to We, has inspired a generation of young people to be active global change-makers.
Craig has received national and international recognition, including being named as one of the youngest recipients of the Order of Canada. Ideal Audiences: Keynote Topics: Inspiring for all audiences In their two decades of humanitarian work, Craig and Marc have visited dozens of countries, meeting people from all walks of life. It all begins when we make the shift from me to we. Tangible takeaways: For all those who help to shape children’s lives: parents, caregivers, educators, communities Today, more than ever, the world needs your kids.
Based on their international bestseller, The World Needs Your Kid: Raising Children Who Care and Contribute, this speech will provide key insights on guiding children to be compassionate and engaged global citizens. The workshop experience: Testimonials.