SASKATOON, SK (January 24, 2013) – Today Free The Children founder, Craig Kielburger, alongside Luke Bilyk and Aislinn Paul from the hit television series DEGRASSI, and Lee Knafelc, Vice President of Human Resources and Administration for Regional Title Sponsor PotashCorp, announced the highly anticipated lineup of world-renowned speakers and performers set to inspire 15,000 youth and educators from more than 300 schools at the first ever We Day Saskatchewan on Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at Credit Union Centre in Saskatoon.
Hundreds of enthusiastic students from schools across the region gathered at St. Joseph’s High School to hear the news and to celebrate the commitment they have made, through the We Act program, to take action locally and globally to create positive social change in the world. Among the star-studded lineup are JUNO and MMVA award-winning recording artists Hedley and Shawn Desman and legendary actor and activist Martin Sheen.
“As a long-time supporter of Free The Children, I’m excited to be a part of We Day Saskatchewan and help provide youth with the knowledge, support and confidence to become leaders in social change,” said Martin Sheen. “We need to send the youth of today a message that resonates and reiterates that one person can make the difference of a lifetime”.
Believing in the power of youth to make a difference, the lineup of performers and speakers will come together to address pressing world issues and ignite the students’ passion to be a part of the solution. Leading the electric crowd will be host, television personality and recording artist, Jesse Giddings, along with internationally acclaimed children rights activists and founders of Free The Children, Craig and Marc Kielburger. The announced lineup, with more to be revealed, includes:
· Martin Sheen – Emmy and Golden Globe Award winning actor and activist
· Hedley – Multi-platinum, JUNO and MMVA Award winning recording artists
· Mia Farrow – Award winning actress and activist
· Luke Bilyk and Aislinn Paul – Cast members from DEGRASSI
· Shawn Desman – Platinum-selling, JUNO and MMVA Award-winning recording artist
· Karl Wolf – International recording artist, Socan & MTV Europe Music Award winner
· Jake Zeldin – 13-year-old Toronto rapper who goes by “Lil JaXe”
· A performance by ONE DROP, a Cirque du Soleil Founder’s initiative
· Craig and Marc Kielburger – founders of Free The Children
· Molly Burke – Me to We motivational speaker
· Robin Wiszowaty – Author and Free The Children’s Kenya Program Director
· Jesse Giddings – Recording artist, TV personality and host of We Day Saskatchewan
We Day is a stadium-sized educational event and the movement of our time—a movement of young people leading local and global change. We Day is tied to the year-long We Act program, which offers educational resources, campaigns and support materials to help turn the event’s inspiration into sustained activation. Together We Day and We Act provide a blueprint to raise a generation of active global citizens.
“We Day proves to youth that a better world is possible and they are not alone in their commitment to social justice,” said founder of Free The Children Craig Kielburger. “It isn’t just a day, it’s a movement sweeping this nation. Last year alone, together, students across North America who committed to the We Act program raised 6 million dollars for local and global causes and volunteered 1.7 million hours of their time. With the support of Regional Title Sponsor PotashCorp and other wonderful community companies and organizations, We Day is now a reality in Saskatchewan. I can’t wait to see how these young people taken action!”
“The caliber of talent scheduled to appear at Saskatchewan’s first We Day is exceptional,” said Lee Knafelc, Vice-President of Human Resources and Administration at PotashCorp. “We’re proud to bring We Day to Saskatchewan’s youth and help inspire a new generation of leaders to ‘Be The Change’ here at home and around the world.”
We Day is free of charge to the thousands of students and educators in attendance, thanks to the generous support of sponsors, led in Saskatchewan by Regional Title Sponsor PotashCorp and nationally by Co-Title sponsors RBC and TELUS. Through We Day and other year-long actions, PotashCorp and Free The Children are committed to engaging youth across Canada on the issue of global and local food security.
Wonderful for our youth!!!!