Craig Kielburger
A lifelong human rights activist, author, speaker, philanthropist, and social entrepreneur, Craig Kielburger has spent over 25 years making a difference in communities across the globe.
Craig and his brother, Marc Kielburger, co-founded WE Charity, an international development charity and youth empowerment organization.
When Craig was only 12 years old, he stumbled upon a newspaper article about a young boy, Iqbal Masih, from Pakistan who experienced the horrors of child labour first-hand and was murdered for speaking about the labour practices in his home country. This was the spark that pushed Craig and Marc to take action, creating a non-profit called Free the Children, which would eventually become WE Charity.
One of Free the Children's very first efforts was sending a petition to have Kailash Satyarthi released from prison. Kailash Satyarthi was a child labour activist from India. Craig and Marc successfully received thousands of signatures and sent the petition to the Indian prime minister. This effort led to the release of Kailash Satyarthi, who went on to win the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014.
Craig and Marc Kielburger have never lost their early dedication to activism.
For his philanthropic efforts, Craig has been recognized at home in Canada and abroad. He has been the recipient of 15 honorary degrees and doctorates; he is also a New York Times bestselling author, having published 12 books. Craig has been featured multiple times in the media and has had interviews with 60 minutes, the BBC, and the Oprah Winfrey Show, among other media outlets. . Craig Kielburger was the youngest ever to graduate from the Kellogg-Schulich Executive MBA program at York University. He received his undergraduate degree in Peace and Conflict Studies from the University of Toronto. At the age of 25, Craig also received the Nelson Mandela Freedom Medal and was inducted into the Order of Canada in 2007. He has also received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee and the World Children's prize for the Rights of the Child.
Today, Craig remains a highly recognized activist and continues to share his time and efforts with the WE Movement and its associated organizations.
Craig and his brother, Marc Kielburger, co-founded WE Charity, an international development charity and youth empowerment organization.
When Craig was only 12 years old, he stumbled upon a newspaper article about a young boy, Iqbal Masih, from Pakistan who experienced the horrors of child labour first-hand and was murdered for speaking about the labour practices in his home country. This was the spark that pushed Craig and Marc to take action, creating a non-profit called Free the Children, which would eventually become WE Charity.
One of Free the Children's very first efforts was sending a petition to have Kailash Satyarthi released from prison. Kailash Satyarthi was a child labour activist from India. Craig and Marc successfully received thousands of signatures and sent the petition to the Indian prime minister. This effort led to the release of Kailash Satyarthi, who went on to win the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014.
Craig and Marc Kielburger have never lost their early dedication to activism.
For his philanthropic efforts, Craig has been recognized at home in Canada and abroad. He has been the recipient of 15 honorary degrees and doctorates; he is also a New York Times bestselling author, having published 12 books. Craig has been featured multiple times in the media and has had interviews with 60 minutes, the BBC, and the Oprah Winfrey Show, among other media outlets. . Craig Kielburger was the youngest ever to graduate from the Kellogg-Schulich Executive MBA program at York University. He received his undergraduate degree in Peace and Conflict Studies from the University of Toronto. At the age of 25, Craig also received the Nelson Mandela Freedom Medal and was inducted into the Order of Canada in 2007. He has also received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee and the World Children's prize for the Rights of the Child.
Today, Craig remains a highly recognized activist and continues to share his time and efforts with the WE Movement and its associated organizations.
