Published by Communications and Public Affairs 519 824-4120, Ext. 56982 or 53338

News Release

January 31, 2007

Free the Children Founder Craig Kielburger to Speak at U of G

Free the Children founder Craig Kielburger is giving a talk at the University of Guelph for the Positive Social Action Conference Feb. 2 at 6 p.m. in Room 104 of Rozanski Hall. The talk is free and open to the public, and registration is recommended because there is limited seating at the door.

Kielburger established Free the Children when he was 12, and it is now the world’s largest network of children helping children through education. The organization has built more than 450 primary schools, serving more than 40,000 children. He’s also the co-founder of Leaders Today, the world’s top youth leadership training organization.

Now 24, Kielburger has a degree in peace and conflict studies from the University of Toronto and is the recipient of two honorary doctorates. He has received many awards for his work, including the Nelson Mandela Human Rights Award, the Human Rights Award from the World Association of Non-Governmental Organizations and the Children’s Nobel Prize.

An internationally renowned speaker, Kielburger has shared the podium with Nelson Mandela, the Dalai Lama, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and former U.S. president Bill Clinton. His work has been featured on television programs, including 60 Minutes and Oprah and in major publications such as The New York Times and People and Time magazines. He is also the author of the book Free the Children and co-author of Take Action—A Guide to Active Citizenship for Youth.

His keynote speech “Me to We: How University Students Can Create Positive Social Change” will set the tone for the three-day conference organized by Student Volunteer Connections and the Central Student Association. The conference continues Feb. 3 and 4 in Room 103 of Rozanski Hall with panel discussions, hands-on activities and seminars.

For more information or to register for Kielburger’s talk or other conference activities, visit www.uoguelph.ca/~svc.