Posts Tagged ‘picture the future campaign’
Craig Kielburger believes in “Education for All”
I was fortunate to have been able to attend one of his conferences at The University of Calgary, and I had a chance to catch him after his motivational speech of transforming our perspective from “Me” to “We”. The sign was rather a slapdash last minute idea, but he didn’t mind the unconventional sign- a sign is a sign in the end. He politely nodded as I hurriedly explained our campaign with him, and his face lit up and was humbly surprised when I professed that after watching a video of him speaking for child rights at the age of 12, that he was one of my “sparks”, or one of the callings to social activism that brought me to action. He is an inspirational and internationally renown child rights activist, and was more than happy to take me up on my request! One of the most memorable moments of the conference was when he introduced the formula, “spark” + “gift” = A better world, indeed I believe that the calling that compels us to action and using our own talents to contribute, makes for a better world.
Craig Kielburger is the founder of the youth empowerment and child right’s organization, “Free the Children”, helping to develop and provide communities with access to healthcare, education, clean water and alternative incomes. He said at the conference to find a cause you are passionate about, and I have, with the Canadian Red Cross.
Craig Kielburger holding the sign, "I Believe in Education for All"
Child Soldiers and Children Affected by War Workshop- update
Photo shoot for a cause!
On Feb 13th, we had a sucessful and postive outcome to the Child Soldiers and Children Affected by War Workshop that WeiJia and I hosted at the Central Library. With three information sessions, we carried out in the fashion of a energetic simulation, a powerpoint presentation, a follow-up video on the impact of war on children, and finally, to bring all the information together, we applied the knowledge of the Conventions of the Rights of a Child and International Humanitarian Law to them.
Participants were moved by the moral dilemmas faced by child soldiers, and recoginzed the vulnerability of child soliders, but also that child soldiers deserved dignity and a chance to contribute to their community.
This workshop was also a volunteer information session for the chance for interested students to become part of a global and grassroots youth movement. It provided information on what the Red Cross is currently doing in Liberia, and what is the Child Advocacy and Rehabiliation (CAR) Centre. This was an invaluable interactive resource that will provided these great students with leadership skills and a more knowledgable base on the issue of child soldiers.
Where else to take an excellent photo shoot than a higher place of learning- the library! Knowledge leads to empathy and action.
If you would like to have workshops given at your school, please contact us!
picturethefuturemovement 