I tried.
I was determined that this years We Day event at Rogers Arena wasnt going to pull me into its web of optimism led by a gang of 18,000 shiny, happy boys and girls. But pull me in it didagain.
The motivation behind Free the Childrens We Day is that youth are our future and if taught about the plight and injustices suffered by others around the world, theyll be inspired to do their part to help. And with the right ideals, this next generation of leaders could be the answer to avoiding future Occupy Wall Street protests.
The power of one is a strong message of the movement, and individuals, small groups and schools are celebrated and recognized for their efforts in raising money, and or awareness, about clean water and sanitation, health care, alternative income and education for not only Third World countries but also in North America.
Accompanying me this year was an assistant correspondent, 16-year-old Rielly Lancaster from White Rock who attends Earl Marriott secondary. I knew from past conversations Rielly had been a We Day fan, but I was anxious to see if her enthusiasm had continued in the two years since shed attended the first event in Vancouver and heard the Dalai Lama speak.
One of this years keynote speakers was Mikhail Gorbachev, the former president of the Soviet Union and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1990. Gorbachev is what we call in the business a long talker, but I also noticed at 80 years old he has a quick wit and sharp sense of humour. During the question and answer session for media only, we sat a couple of metres from Gorbachev as he spoke about the need for world peace.
Following Gorbachev, actor and activist Mia Farrow made herself available for questions. In person, Farrow looks fragile, but when she speaks about genocide and famine in Africa, her spirit can best be described as that of a mother bear ready to defend her cubs. Rielly had the opportunity to ask Farrow what her most moving experience as an activist has been, to which she replied, We Day. Farrow spoke directly to Rielly as she explained her reasons. My guess is Farrow simply decided the teenager was the only one in a room full of sardonic journalists who could still be reached.
I liked her because shes doing all this because she wants to, Rielly said of Farrow. Shes not doing it to get noticed. She just really wants to try and do what she can do.
(Theres that power of one concept again.)
Im not sure if it was Farrows comments or the entire We Day experience, but when I spoke with Rielly during a quieter moment later, I asked if the event had made any impact. Rielly explained that after she graduates next year, instead of going on the Grade 12 class trip, she wants to take part in one of the volunteer trips organized by Free the Children founders Craig and Marc Kielburger. She has her eye on Kenya, where Free the Children is helping build libraries, schools, kitchens and bathrooms, as well as working on projects that culminate in fresh drinking water.
By the way, during the Q&A period, Craig Kielburger explained that 70 per cent of the youth We Day attracts are female. An interesting statistic on its own, but the fact We Day draws thousands of young motivated girls should in itself be an inspiration for boys to attend.
We Day isnt all politics. Rielly acted as my interpreter when it came to the musical acts performing. While I am familiar with Hedley, I had no idea who Down With Webster and Shawn Desman are. As for the We Day Dance? I passed, but Rielly knew all the moves.
The down side? Days later I still have that Shawn Desman song stuck in my head. (Talk about the power of one.)
See our online photo gallery of We Day at vancourier.com.
Twitter: @sthomas10
