Craig Kielburger, Internationally-Acclaimed Children's Rights Activist and Founder of Free The Children, To Speak At Boston College April 1

(3-28-01) CHESTNUT HILL, MA -- Craig Kielburger, an 18-year-old award-winning activist for children's rights and founder of Free the Children, will speak at Boston College's Robsham Theater on April 1 at 8 p.m.

Free the Children is the world's largest network of children helping children with over 100,000 active youth in 27 countries. The organization works to free children from poverty, exploitation and abuse through advocacy, education and leadership programs.

A story about a boy from Pakistan who was sold into bondage as a carpet weaver and murdered for speaking out against child labor inspired the then 12-year-old Kielburger to became active in child labor issues.

Since founding Free the Children with some of his friends, Kielburger has traveled to more than 30 countries visiting with "street" and working children, speaking out in defense of children's rights and addressing government officials, business leaders, educators and students.

Free the Children has initiated many projects, including: the construction of more than 100 schools and two rehabilitation centers for children, the creation of alternative sources of revenue for poor families to free children from hazardous work and leadership programs for youth.

Young people have built a health center in Nicaragua and distributed more than a million dollars worth of medical supplies and 40,000 school kits, among many other activities. Kielburger and his activism have been the subject of media coverage from CNN, "60 Minutes," and "Oprah" to the New York Times, and Newsweek.

"It Takes a Child...Craig Kielburger's Journey Into the World of Child Labour," a documentary on Kielburger's work and life won the 1999 Gold level UNESCO award at the New York Film Festival. Kielburger has received many awards, including the State of the World Forum Award, the Governor General's Award for Meritorious Service and the prestigious Roosevelt Freedom Medal.

Kielburger was named a Global Leader of Tomorrow at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, and he serves Ambassador of the First Children's Embassy in Sarajevo.

Kielburger's book, Free The Children, which outlines his journey from the suburbs of Toronto, through the slums and sweatshops of South Asia, to the world stage of human rights, has been translated into seven languages.

Kielburger's free, public lecture is sponsored by the BC Global Justice Project and the Undergraduate Government of Boston College.

For more information please contact:

Global Justice Project (617) 552-4048 or the BC Office of Public Affairs (617) 552-3350