One newspaper article that appeared in an April 1995 issue of the Toronto Star changed Craig Kielburger’s life. The story was about Iqbal Masih (ek-BAL mah-SEE) of Muridke, Pakistan. When Iqbal was only four years old, he was sold into slavery for less than $16.00 to satisfy a debt of his parents. For the next six years, Iqbal was chained to a carpet-weaving loom for 13 hours each day, beginning at 4:00 a.m., and forced to make expensive Oriental carpets. At age 10, Iqbal escaped the factory with the help of a group known as the Bonded Labor Liberation Front (BLLF). He began speaking out against the horrible conditions and abuse faced by the child labourers. Two years later, he was murdered. Craig was 12 years old when he read the article in the newspaper, the same age as Iqbal.
Craig was so moved by the story that he began researching the problem of child labour and the exploitation of children. He discovered that there are 250 million children in the world working in slave-like conditions. He organized his friends and classmates, most of whom were also 12 years old, to form the organization Free the Children. They set four main goals:
Later that year, Craig persuaded his parents to allow him to visit five countries in South Asia. He visited factories where children worked, met with street children and, in Bangkok, Thailand, he visited a notorious “red light” district where children are sexually abused. Through his efforts with Free the Children, Craig was able to persuade the Canadian government to take a stand on child labour. The government changed the criminal code to charge Canadians who sexually exploit children in other countries.
After meeting with Craig, Lloyd Axworthy, Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs stated, “Through his intelligence and activism, Kielburger has debunked the notion held by many adults that children have nothing serious to contribute to government policy debates.”
In the years since his first visit to Asia, Craig and members of Free the Children have travelled extensively throughout the world. Through appearances on such shows as Sixty Minutes, CNN International and Voice of America, the issue of child labour and the work of Free the Children has become known around the world.
Free the Children has sent school and health kits to children living in poverty in many countries in the Third World. It has raised money to build education and housing facilities in India. A recent initiative of the organization is arranging partnerships between children in North American schools and schools in Third World countries. The students in North America raise funds for school and health kits, teachers' salaries and/or school buildings.
Free the Children has grown into an influential international children’s movement. Thousands of children in more than 20 countries, on all continents, have joined Free the Children. The organization has grown into an international network of “children helping children.”
The young people have learned that knowledge is power. By reading, educating themselves and speaking out, young people are gaining credibility and respect. Youth all over the world are speaking out and taking action to improve the lives of children. This is undoubtedly one of the most important accomplishments of Free the Children, demonstrating that young people can be leaders.
According to Craig Kielburger, youth need to become more involved in their schools, communities, country and international community. He speaks of youth empowerment and responsibility, and Craig sees his top priority as motivating young people to act.
Free the Children is a non-profit charity devoted to eliminating child labour and exploitation around the world. A bookkeeper handles all the money raised by the organization, a professional accountant sits on the board of directors and an international accounting firm audits the books. The organization operates on a small budget with the help of many volunteers and donations.
View the PDF file for handout #8 only by clicking here. |
Read the case study and make brief notes to answer the following questions.
Summary
Write a summary statement that combines the information gathered as you read and answered the questions.
|
View the PDF file for handout #9 only by clicking here. |
Political (Organization) |
Economic
|
|
Education
|
Force
|
Equality
Situation #1 - It was a cold, rainy day as the people went out to vote. Some walked to the polls; others rode their bicycles or travelled by bus. The mayor went by car, while the busy owner of the large chain store went by taxi. Among the crowd were several excited new citizens who had originally come from Japan and several young people who were voting for the first time. John, who had been laid off from his construction job, took time out from his job search to be there.
Situation #2 - The neighbourhood school, which Harry wanted to attend, had no facilities for his wheelchair. This made life very difficult for him because he had to be bussed to a single story school some distance away.
Situation #3 - The French speaking priest refused to pay his parking ticket because it was written in English.
Situation 4 - The old school in the city centre did not have gym and library facilities of the same quality as the new school in the suburbs. The students of the old school took a petition to the mayor.
Freedom
The following are fundamental freedoms under the Canadian Charter of Rights:
Fraternity
Situation #1 - John comes to school wearing a T-shirt with a sexist cartoon on it, which offends several students and teachers. When asked to change the T-shirt he says, "This is a free country isn't it?” Explain how John has not understood fully the principles of freedom and fraternity.
Situation #2 - Suppose John returns the next day with a different T-shirt that is highly amusing to all the students, but which does not amuse the teacher. Is this still an issue of freedom and fraternity? Why?
Fifty years ago, peacemakers envisioned a better world and founded an organization called the United Nations to hold together a fragile world torn apart by World War II. Since 1945, the UN organization, its 185 member countries, employees, volunteers and supporters have promoted friendly relations among nations, helped former colonies become independent, immunized children, promoted literacy, planted trees and assisted people of many nations (and of no nation at all) in emergencies caused by natural disasters, civil strife and epidemics.
Preamble to the Charter of the United Nations
We, the people of the United Nations, determined:
And for these ends:
Have resolved to combine our efforts to accomplish these aims.
First Article of the Charter of the United Nations Adopted in 1945
The purposes of the United Nations are:
The United Nations means:
October 24th is UN Day.
UN Declaration on the Rights of the Child