“Created by Free The Children to celebrate the power of young people to create positive change, We Day is a day-long event that ignites a year-long program for change, called We Schools in Action. In cities across Canada, the event brings inspirational speeches and performances to young leaders. Students then bring that energy home to take action on local and international issues all year long. Free The Children’s We Day is the celebration, the inspiration and the vehicle for young people to change the world.”
Thirteen students from the YMCA Academy, along with two teachers, will be participating in the Toronto We Day program at the ACC on Thursday September 30th. The event features speeches from global leaders, social activists, Nobel Peace Prize winners, sports figures and entertainers.
- Alexandre Bilodeau – Canada’s first Olympian to win gold on home turf
- Betty Williams – Nobel peace prize laureate, author and activist
- Cast members from DEGRASSI
- Cast of MTV’s hit TV series – THE BURIED LIFE
- Cherie Blair – Wife of former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Tony Blair, and best-selling author
- Craig & Marc Kielburger – Co-Founders of Free The Children and international children’s rights activists
- Deepak Chopra – Bestselling author, renowned speaker, physician and media personality
- Down With Webster – Toronto’s hottest seven member pop rock/hip hop band
- Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish – Author and peace activist
- Greyson Chance – 13-year-old singer, songwriter, pianist and YouTube phenom
- Jacob Hoggard – Lead singer for Hedley, multi-platinum recording artists
- K’naan – Internationally celebrated Canadian poet, rapper and musician
- Michel Chikwanine – Former child soldier and Me to We motivational speaker
- Rocky Dawuni – Ghana’s international music star
- Scott Hammell – Magician and Me to We motivational speaker
- Spencer West – Me to We motivational speaker
- Wangari Maathai – Green Belt Movement Founder and Nobel Peace Prize Winne
