Kwantlen Polytechnic University awarded brothers, Craig and Marc Kielburger, co-founders of Free The Children, and the innovative social enterprise – Me to We, with honorary doctor of laws at the May 31, 2012 convocation ceremony held at the Langley Events Centre.
"The university is extremely proud to recognize and honour Craig and Marc Kielburger for their many accomplishments globally and their passion for reaching out to help people. They have brought to the forefront a creative ability to add value to post-secondary education by motivating and capturing the imaginations of students worldwide," says John McKendry, president and vice chancellor of Kwantlen Polytechnic University. "Craig and Marc truly are outstanding agents of positive change."
"I am so honoured to be receiving this recognition from Kwantlen," says Marc Kielburger. "Free The Children, and Me to We, are built on the notion that with education comes transformation, and being the recipient of this degree reaffirms that we have, and will continue, to help make sustainable differences in the lives of children and youth."
Free The Children, an international charity and the largest network of children helping children through education, was founded in 1995 when Craig Kielburger was 12 years old. Since then, the organization has worked in 45 countries and built more than 650 schools and school rooms in developing regions, providing education to more than 55,000 children every day. We Day is Free The Children's signature event reaching more than 90,000 students from 3,000 schools in person and more than 5.4 million through televised broadcasts, and exists to inspire a journey of lifelong social action. Also co-founded by the brothers is, Me to We, a social enterprise that provides people with better choices for a better world, including socially conscious and environmentally friendly clothes and books, as well as inspirational trip experiences and motivational speakers.
Kwantlen honorary degrees are awarded to individuals honoris causa (for the sake of honour) in recognition of distinguished achievements or outstanding service to the public.
Members of the Kwantlen First Nation participated in the ceremony by drumming The Kwantlen Song for graduates and attendees at the university's largest convocation yet. Part of the university's ongoing commitment is to become more integrated into the unique features of each of the distinct communities it serves stretching from Richmond in the west to Langley and Maple Ridge in the east.
Kwantlen Polytechnic University has been serving the Metro Vancouver region for 30 years, and has opened doors to success for more than 250,000 people. Four campuses—Richmond, Surrey, Cloverdale and Langley—offer a comprehensive range of sought-after programs, including business, liberal arts and science, design, health, trades and technology, apprenticeships, horticulture, and academic and career advancement. Over 17,500 students annually have a choice from over 200 programs, including bachelor's degrees, associate degrees, diplomas, certificates and citations.
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