We Day brings youth empowerment message to MTS Centre Nov. 16
Annual event, founded by Craig and Marc Kielburger, came to Winnipeg for first time in 2011
We Day is bringing its message of global change and youth empowerment back to Winnipeg's MTS Centre on Nov. 16.
Founded by Canadian brothers Craig and Marc Kielburger and their charity Free The Children, We Day inspires youth to take action on local and global issues and features a lineup of social activists, global leaders, celebrities and musical performances.
The goal is to empower young people to shift their thinking and actions from "me" to "we" and to a belief in the power of community, states a news release from We Day organizers.
The event is free of charge, but each student group that attends is asked to make a commitment of one local and one global action throughout the school year to change the world for the better. Free the Children provides a limited number of tickets to each school and lets the schools decide how to choose which students attend.
First held in Toronto in 2007, We Day is now held in cities across Canada, the United States and the U.K. Winnipeg hosted its first one in 2011.
Although it annually packs MTS Centre with 16,000 loud and cheering students, the event creates a ripple effect that spreads much wider.
"Last year in Manitoba alone, more than 107,500 youth were inspired to take steps to improve the world, volunteering over 247,000 hours and raising $557,000 in support of local and global organizations," said Craig Kielburger.
Taking the stage this year in Winnipeg:
- Craig and Marc Kielburger.
- Spencer West, a legless man who climbed Mount Kilimanjaro on his hands and in his wheelchair.
- Rinelle Harper, a Manitoba First Nations teen who overcame a vicious attack on Winnipeg's riverbank.
- Actress Marlee Matlin.
- Actor, director, author Henry Winkler.
- Rapper Kardinal Offishall.
- R&B artist JRDN.
- Author Amanda Lindhout.
- Jessi Cruickshank, host of Canada's Smartest Person.
- Actor, motivational speaker J.R. Martinez
- Singer Tyler Shaw.
- Singer Francesco Yates.
- Singer Robb Nash.
- Wab Kinew, author and hip-hop artist.
- Actor, singer Tom Jackson.
- Waneek Horn-Miller, member of Canada's women's waterpolo team.
- Youth activist Shania Pruden.
- Youth artist, inventor Alex Deans.
- Actor, singer and activist Elliot Miville-Deschênes.
- Kenyan Boys Choir.
"I have performed at We Days across the country and every time I step on the stage I am still overwhelmed by the energy of the crowd," Offishall stated in a news release.
"I am continuously inspired by the thousands of youth that have come together to make a difference and can't wait to connect with the students in Winnipeg."
The 2015 event will be co-hosted by MuchMusic host and etalk reporter.