Someone Who Makes a Difference: Craig Keilburger

The beginning... Born Dec. 18, 1982 in Thornhill, Ontario

The beginning... While in grade 7 Craig read an article in the Toronto Star about a young boy in Pakistan named Iqbal Masih.

The beginning...

The beginning... Iqbal was fatally shot April 12, 1995 at the age of 12 after returning from a trip to America where he had given several speeches and talks about child labour.

The beginning... Craig was shocked and angered when he read the article. Began to research Founded the group “Twelve Twelve year olds”

A Movement is Begun... Free the Children is an international organization that has 45 countries participating in trying to make the world a better place.

A Movement is Begun... In 1995, Craig traveled with a family friend to India.

Free the Children is born Began to receive international attention after successfully lobbying governments to change laws.

Free the Children is born Built over 650 schools and implemented projects in over 45 developing countries Fund come from young people fundraising “Children helping children”

Me to We Socially conscious and environmentally friendly products and life changing experiences.

Me to We

Me to We

Me to We

Continuing to Make a Difference... Regular contributor to Vancouver Sun, Halifax Chronicle Herald, Edmonton Journal, Victoria Times Colonist, Waterloo Region Record, Winnipeg Free Press, Huffington Post and Globe and Mail. Big supporter of Scouts Canada Continues to advocate for those “without voices” and encourages young people that they can “be the change”.

Some of his Awards... The Nelson Mandela Human Rights Award[10] The 2002 World of Children Awards - Youth Award [11] The Top 20 Under 20 Award[13] The Reebok Human Rights Award[14] The Roosevelt Freedom Medal[15] The 2004 Kiwanis International Foundation World Service Medal The Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship[16] Honorary Doctorate of education from Nipissing University for his work in leadership development[17] At age 23, became the youngest person listed to the Globe and Mail's Top 40 under 40 The 2006 World’s Children’s Prize for the Rights of the Child[18] Made a Member of the Order of Canada.[1] Honorary degree in law from University of Guelph.[2] Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Alberta.[3] Honorary degree in law from Carleton University. [4] Craig Kielburger Secondary School named in Milton, Ontario, Canada [19] Received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012.[20]

Words of Wisdom from Craig "I play video games and watch TV, but there's more to life than that. Faxing and the Internet have created a global community. The kid next door has become the kid in Latin America or Asia.” "We so often feel powerless to do anything about the many problems in the world around us. We  are so often left to wonder whether one person can possibly make a difference. Mother Teresa said yes we can. Her life was resounding proof that it is possible."

Words of Wisdom from Craig "The change starts within each one of us. And ends only when all children are free to be children"