There was a lot of action at the Kitchener Auditorium Wednesday, as organizers made final preparations for an event that will see thousands of students flock to The Aud.
Around 6,000 students from over 250 schools across southwestern Ontario are expected to be in attendance at the Free The Children event.
Speakers will include Reverend Jesse Jackson, former U.S. vice president Al Gore, RIM COO Don Morrison and the co-founders of Free The Children, Craig and Marc Kielburger.
Marc Kielburger says "Free The Children was started 15 years ago by my younger brother Craig. He was reading the newspaper of another 12-year-old boy in Pakistan who spoke out against child labour and was killed for speaking out, and that set forth a desire to help create change."
Free The Children, an international children's charity that aims to help children living in poverty and empower youth to make positive social change.
Marc adds that he and his brother are both humbled to have a chance to speak to these young student leaders. And it's obviously having an impact.
Youth motivational speaker Britta Badour says "So I actually got involved after I was done university here in Waterloo at Wilfrid Laurier University, and after meeting and learning more about Free the Children, I became really interested in wanting to learn more about how I could make a difference and help others to make a difference as well."
There will also be performances by Shawn Desman, Barenaked Ladies, Stereos and cast members of from Degrassi will also be in attendance at the day-long event.
We Day organizer Russell McLeod says "The balance is so important because the day is meant to inspire young people, get them excited, but also to take time to actually talk and discuss issues."
