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Free the Children Founder Craig Kielburger Speaks with Trent Community March 12

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Youth Activist and Author to Share “Me to We” Philosophy
with Trent Students

Thursday, March 11, 2010, Peterborough

Trent students, faculty and staff will learn the importance of becoming socially responsible global citizens from one of the world’s leading experts when Craig Kielburger, founder of Free the Children (FTC) and distinguished youth activist and author, delivers a special presentation at the University on Friday, March 12, 2010 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Wenjack Theatre.

Joining Mr. Kielburger on campus will be Trent alumna and Free the Children executive director Dalal Al-Waheidi. Ms. Al-Waheidi was named one of Canada’s top 100 most powerful women in 2006 and was presented with the Trent University Young Leader Award in 2007. She began her career with FTC as an intern after graduating from Trent. Originally from Palestine, Ms. Al-Waheidi served as chief operations director for FTC before being appointed executive director in 2009.

Mr. Kielburger’s talk will be an introduction to the powerful “Me to We” philosophy. Developed by Craig and Marc Kielburger through more than a decade of humanitarian work, Me to We is also the subject of their New York Times Best Seller which has already inspired hundreds of thousands of people and includes a specific emphasis on how to apply this philosophy within the community.

During his presentation, Mr. Kielburger will share effective strategies for successful social involvement, empowering audience members to create the kind of positive social change that enables individuals to live happy, healthy and fulfilling lives. He will discuss the meaning and implications of global citizenship in today’s changing world, and consider some of the many incredible opportunities that emerge through social involvement and service to others.

The event is part of the Impact Leadership Program’s annual conference at Trent, which kicks off with Mr. Kielburger’s keynote address and continues throughout the weekend.

“We’re always looking for great speakers for our Impact events. Craig is a true inspiration to the students in the program and will be able to speak to a significant goal of Impact which is service to the community. We couldn’t be happier to have him come to Trent,” said Chris Glover, coordinator of the Impact Leadership Program at Trent University.

The lecture is open to all members of the Trent Community. A public reception will be held directly following the lecture. Tickets for the event are free. Limited seats are available for members of the greater Peterborough community. Please email studentaffairs@trentu.ca or call (705) 748 1011 x 7125 to reserve tickets.

This event is sponsored by the Impact Leadership Program through a grant received by the Ontario Government.  Students from the Impact Program, as a result, will have the opportunity to meet with Craig Kielburger over dinner before his talk in the Wenjack Theatre. 

Free The Children is the world’s largest network of children helping children through education, with more than one million youth involved in innovative education and development programs in 45 countries. Founded in 1995 by Craig Kielburger, FTC has a proven track record of success. The organization has received the World’s Children’s Prize for the Rights of the Child (also known as the Children’s Nobel Prize), the Human Rights Award from the World Association of Non-Governmental Organizations, and has formed successful partnerships with leading school boards and Oprah’s Angel Network. To date, Free The Children has built more than 500 schools in developing countries around the world, providing primary education to more than 50,000 students every day.

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For more information, please contact:
Chris Glover, Coordinator, Impact Leadership Program, Trent University, (705) 748-1011 x7229