TORONTO  - More than 7,500 student leaders from across Ontario will unite at the Ricoh Coliseum in Toronto for the first National Me to We Day. An initiative led by Canadian-based organization Free The Children, this unique event combines the energy and passion of Canada's top socially conscious speakers who will share the message that one person can make a world of difference.
 
Highlights of the event:

    -   Presentations by Craig Kielburger and Marc Kielburger, founders of Free The Children, LGen Roméo Dallaire (Ret.), Irshad Manji, Mark Tewksbury and Justin Trudeau
    -   Celebrity host Ben Mulroney
    -   Musical performances by special guests Hanson performing songs from their inspirational new album The Walk, and also a performance by the 2007 Canadian Idol winner, Brian Melo
    -   Cast members of Degrassi: The Next Generation will speak about their volunteer experience this past summer building a school in Kenya. Michel Chikwanine, a war-affected child, will share his first-hand experience growing up in the Democratic Republic of Congo during the Great War of Africa


"Me to We," the name of the event, is based on a philosophy coined by the Kielburgers. It is a way of living that celebrates volunteerism, community building and service to others. And that is the main message of National Me to We Day! Inspired by the Millennium Development Goals, National Me to We Day will educate and empower youth to 'THINK WE' and act as global citizens to create change for a better world.


WHAT:     National Me to We Day
WHERE:    Ricoh Coliseum - 100 Princes' Blvd., Toronto
TIME:     9:30 am - 2:30 pm
              10:00-10:30       Craig Kielburger and Marc Kielburger
              10:30-11:00       LGen Roméo Dallaire (Ret)
              10:35-10:40       Degrassi cast members
              11:00-11:10       Michel Chikwanine
              11:15-11:30       Justin Trudeau
              11:30-11:40       Musical performance: Brian Melo
              12:50-1:10        Irshad Manji
              01:25-1:40        Mark Tewksbury
              01:45-2:00        Craig Kielburger and Marc Kielburger
              02:00-2:30        Musical performance by Hanson

WHEN:     October 19, 2007
   
AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEWS: Craig Kielburger and Marc Kielburger are available for interviews on October 18th and October 19th. Speakers will be available on October 19th. Please contact Melissa Yaw by Wednesday, October 17 to schedule a conversation.

The National Me to We Day is made possible at no cost to students and schools through the sponsorship and support of numerous companies and organizations. The National Bank Financial is the title sponsor of the event.

Free The Children is the world's largest network of children helping children through education, with more than one million youth involved in innovative education and development programs in 45 countries. Founded in 1995 by international child rights activist Craig Kielburger, Free The Children has a proven track record of success. Through the energy and passion of youth, Free The Children has built more than 450 schools around the world and it provides education for 40,000 children everyday. The organization has received the World's Children's Prize for the Rights of the Child (also known as the Children's Nobel Prize), the Human Rights Award from the World Association of Non-Governmental Organizations, and has formed successful partnerships with leading school boards and Oprah's Angel Network. For more information please
visit www.freethechildren.com

NOTE: General parking and a media feed in the media pit area will be provided for all media and broadcast crews. Media will be able to take photos during the event. Official photos will also be available on request by contacting Melissa Yaw at melissa@freethechildren.com. Media will require a Media ID to cover the event. For more information about National Me to We Day visit http://www.freethechildren.com/metoweday.

Note: According to MTV Canada, the event is going to be streamed live from 10 - 2:30. Hanson is scheduled to appear between 2 and 2:30.