Craig Kielburger
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Craig Kielburger, CM, MSM, OMC, (born December 17, 1982 in Thornhill, Ontario, Canada) is a child rights advocate and leadership specialist. He also is an award-winning author and a popular speaker. On February 20, 2007 he was named a Member of the Order of Canada by the Governor General. He co-founded (with his brother Marc) Free The Children, the world's largest network of children helping children through education, and co-founded Leaders Today, a youth leadership training organization. When he organized the former group at the age of 12, he became famous as a young social activist. Under Kielburger's leadership, Free The Children and its volunteers have built more than 500 primary schools, providing daily education to over 50,000 children.
Free The Children's many accomplishments in the areas of education, alternative income, health care and peacebuilding have facilitated partnerships with organizations such as the United Nations and Oprah's Angel Network.
Kielburger also contributes a regular column about social activism around the world for The Toronto Star.
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[edit] 'Leaders Today' organization
Convinced of the importance of leadership development in empowering youth, Kielburger co-founded "Leaders Today" in 1999. Leaders Today empowers young people through leadership education, providing them with the inspiration and tools to affect positive social change. The organization delivers local and international training experiences, touching over 350,000 youth every year.
Craig Kielburger has traveled to more than 70 countries, visiting children and speaking out in defence of children's rights. An internationally renowned speaker, Kielburger frequently addresses business groups, government bodies, educators, unions and students' groups. During past engagements he has shared the podium with former U.S. president Bill Clinton, Nelson Mandela, Queen Noor, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the Dalai Lama and others.
Kielburger's most recent book, co-authored with his brother Marc, is entitled Me to We. It focuses on explaining their philosophy of volunteerism, service to others and social involvement.
Kielburger has been featured on Oprah, CNN, 60 Minutes, The Larry King Show, The Hour, and profiled in The Economist, TIME, People magazine and in numerous papers.
Kielburger was also featured in a special documentary episode of Degrassi: The Next Generation, titled "Doing What Matters", in which cast members are shown traveling to Africa to help build schools for children in Kenya. He would later appear as himself in a regular scripted episode called "Ladies Night" in which a student organizes an event with Free the Children to raise awareness of living conditions in Africa.[citation needed]
[edit] Recognition
Kielburger has received many awards such as:
- The Nelson Mandela Human Rights Award
- The Community of Christ International Peace Award
- The World Economic Forum GLT Award
- The Top 20 Under 20 Award
- The Reebok Human Rights Award
- The Roosevelt Freedom Medal
- The 2005 Kiwanis World Service Medal
- The Medal of Meritorious Service
- The Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship
- The State of the World Forum Award.
- Doctorate of education from Nipissing University for his work in leadership development
- In 2006 (aged 23) He became the youngest person listed to the Globe and Mail's Top 40 under 40.
- The 2006 World Children’s Prize
- Made a Member of the Order of Canada.[1]
- Honorary degree in law from University of Guelph. [2]
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- Free the Children's official website
- Leaders Today official website
- Craig and Marc Kielburger Interview on The Hour with George Stroumboulopoulos
| Persondata | |
|---|---|
| NAME | Kielburger, Craig |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | |
| SHORT DESCRIPTION | child rights advocate |
| DATE OF BIRTH | December 17, 1982 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Thornhill, Ontario |
| DATE OF DEATH | |
| PLACE OF DEATH | |
