Free The Children

Infobox Organization
name = Free The Children


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formation = 1995
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type = non-profit organization
headquarters = Toronto, Canada
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leader_title = President
leader_name = Craig Kielburger
key_people = Marc Kielburger
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website = [http://www.freethechildren.org link]

Free The Children is a children's charity organization founded in 1995 by children's rights advocate Craig Kielburger. The organization builds schools in developing countries. It also provides alternative income projects as well as school and health kits to people in developing rural areas. Free The Children was inspired by the death of Iqbal Masih, a twelve year old carpet factory laborer who spoke out against his working conditions and received help from the Bonded Labour Liberation Front of Pakistan. The organization has partnered with the United Nations, Me to We Style, National Bank Financial, and Oprah Winfrey’s Angel Network.

History

Free the Children is a nonprofit, international organization of children helping children through education. It was founded by Craig Kielburger when he was twelve years old. He was flipping through "The Toronto Star", looking for the comics section when he saw an article about the murder of Iqbal Masih, a twelve year old carpet factory labourer who had spoken out against child labour. Kielburger was shocked, and when he brought the article to school to show his class, he was inspired to create an organization that would help children around the world. [ [http://www.article13.com/A13_ContentList.asp?strAction=GetPublication&PNID=716 Free the Children] at corporate social responsibility website "Article 13"]

There are Free the Children Take Action Groups all over the world in schools and other places. These groups fund raise money and raise awareness about poverty, and try to make a difference.

Free The Children is part of the Kiel Network, which includes Leaders Today and Me to We. Free The Children has also helped to set up the socially responsible clothing company Me to We Style, which provides consumers, organizations and companies with an eco-ethical clothing alternative and also donates 50% of their profits to Free The Children.

The organization developed a partnership with Amie Street around Benefit media to raise money. All proceeds from the sale of these tracks go to Free The Children. [cite news|url=http://amiestreet.com/blog/post/freethechildren|title=Free The Children|first=Elias|last=Roman|publisher="Amie Street Blog"|date=2006-11-06|accessdate=2007-02-03] [cite news|url=http://freethechildren.com/letter/nov2006/spotlight.html|title=Amie Street cranks out cool tunes to benefit Free The Children|publisher="Voices International Newsletter", Free The Children|date=November 2006|accessdate=2007-02-03]

On October 19, 2007 7500 students from across Ontario joined together for the first annual Me to We day to stop child labour, promote volunteerism and as well as other issues. The event was featured on CTV, mtv.ca and featured inspired performances by Hanson, Dr. Draw, Sol Guy, Louise Kent and various other performers.

On October 26, 2007 Barrie North Collegiate Institute held its annual free the children coffee house, with a series of acoustic performances to benefit Free The Children.

Board Members

Canadian Board of Directors:
* Michelle Douglas – Department of Justice Canada, "President of the Canadian Board"
* Adrian Horwood – Senior Vice President (Communications and Marketing), National Bank Financial
* Charlotte Empey – Associate Dean, School of Performing Arts, Humber College
* Chris Besse – Vice President, Market Development, Thomson Nelson
* Craig Kielburger – Free The Children Founder and Chair
* David Sersta – VP Business Development, The Power Within Inc
* Ed Gillis – Legislative Assistant, Canadian House of Commons
* Gregory Harmandayan – CFO, Huntech Consultants
* Dr. John Gaither – Secondary School Principal (retired)
* Kathy Sarafian – President and General Manager, Advanced Medical Optics (AMO) Canada

American Board of Directors:
* Eva Haller – Philanthropist, "President of the American Board of Directors"
* Amy Eldon – Author and Film Producer
* Beverly Cooper Neufeld – Former Director, The White House Project
* Craig Heimark – Strategic Consultant
* Craig Kielburger – Free The Children Founder
* David Cohen – Vice President, Counterpart International Inc
* Ernan Roman – CEO and President of Ernan Roman Direct Marketing
* Hal Schwartz – Fine Arts Photographer, Graphic Designer
* Jessica Mayberry – Youth Representative
* Juliet Bryan-Brown – Youth Representative, Student
* Prof. Jonathan White – Assistant Professor of Sociology and Political Economy, Bridgewater State College
* Josh Cohen – Investment Broker
* Libby Heimark – Former Director, The Options Institute
* Mary Lewis – Assistant to Dr. Jane Goodall and Vice-President of Outreach, Jane Goodall Institute
* Megan Singh – Student, Youth Representative
* Richard Prins – Student, Author and Youth Representative
* Virginia Benderley – Author and Philanthropist

Advisory Board of Directors:
* Connie Steensma – Chair Emerita, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra
* Izabel Lam – Designer & Artist
* Janice Schoening – VP Editorial, McGraw-Hill Ryerson
* Lekha Singh – Photographer, Artist & Author
* Leonard Merrill Kurz – Director & Film Producer, Chairman, Forest Creatures Entertainment
* Marisa Antonello – Principal Graphic Artist, Turnstyle Imaging
* Patricia Gagic – International Artist
* Paula Perlis – International Human Activist
* Reed Cowan – Founder, Wesley Smiles Coalition; Anchor, Fox 7 Miami Florida
* Dr. Yoel Haller – Physician

References

External links

* [http://freethechildren.com Free The Children Official website]
* [http://leaderstoday.com Leaders Today]
* [http://metowe.org Me to We]
* [http://www.metowestyle.com Me to We: [Responsible Style]
* [http://www.cbc.ca/thehour/video.php?id=1755 Craig and Marc Kielburger Interview] on The Hour with George Stroumboulopoulos