Resolving to get involved: The Take Action! Academy

The Power of One leadership group strike a pose at the 2007 Take Action! Academy

A lot of change comes about with a new year. The refreshing beginning can give us the motivation to take action and make changes within our own communities. So why not start off the year by making resolutions to achieve the changes you wish to see in the world?

The Take Action! Academies are great opportunities to really get involved and challenge yourself to be a leader. These amazing academies take place in Vancouver, Toronto, Beijing and, new this year, New Brunswick! They offer a friendly and socially aware environment where you can meet other young people as equally passionate as you are about making social change.

Last year’s Toronto Take Action! Academy focussed on the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Mixing these issues with 130 enthusiastic and passionate change-makers created an atmosphere full of learning, sharing and, of course, taking action! 

Fuelled by inspiration and information gathered at the last summer’s Toronto academy, participants have been busy changing the world in their own special ways. Many of our participants have decided to join us on our International Volunteer and Leadership trips to get first-hand experience building a school in solidarity with impoverished youth from developing communities around the world. Jessica Magonet, 15, has been taking action closer to home, speaking out on the issues she is passionate about by joining Free The Children’s youth speakers bureau.

This year we hope to amplify that drive and passion even more! The week-long leadership academies of 2008 will continue to focus on the Millennium Development Goals, which are crucial to making this world one of equality and peace. A mix of leadership workshops, keynote speakers, networking with friends from around the world and a very special Take Action! Day will give you the tools you need to make the difference in your communities and the rest of the world.

It’s time to keep those resolutions, amplify our passions and start taking action!

Free The Children is the largest network of children helping children through education in the world, with more than one million youth involved in our innovative education and development programs in 45 countries. Founded by international child rights activist Craig Kielburger, Free The Children has an established track-record of success, with three nominations for the Nobel Peace Prize and partnerships with the United Nations and Oprah’s Angel Network.