On October 22nd, 2014, over 20,000  youth gathered from all over BC at Roger’s Arena for a day they would remember for years to come. Every generation has sought to change the world, and We Day helps to inspire this generation of youth. The generation that survived the Great Depression, fought in WWII, and went on to become the key to the greatest economic expansion the world has ever seen, is often named the “Greatest Generation”. They were followed by the “Baby Boomers”, who brought forth the age of information with the invention of both the internet and the first computers. But what will our generation be called? What events will we be known and recognized for?

John F. Kennedy once said, “Ask not what your country can do for you, [but instead] what you can do for your country”. What if we replace ‘country’ with ‘world’, this is the rallying cry behind We Day. The seeds of greatness lie within each of us, but we must plant them in the garden of the world, rather than the garden of our country.

This year, children around the world attended We Day events seeking inspiration so that they can find the drive that will help them change the world; they were not disappointed.

The theme of this year’s We Day was “The Year of Empowerment.” There were a slew of motivational speakers and performers who spoke to the crowd about how it only takes one person to make a difference. The event was hosted by Selena Gomez who particularly inspired the younger members of the audience with her infectious smile and ardent words. Craig Kielburger, the founder of  Free the Children, passionately spoke to us. Craig told us how at the age of 12 he founded a global charity focused on lifting third world children from poverty and despair. Today, 19 years later, Free the Children works in over 45 countries with over 2.3 million children. Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, the champions of inclusiveness with their song “Same Love”, spoke with great conviction about how this generation can bring about change in the world around them.  The day ended with a surprise performance by Jennifer Lopez who lifted the already excited audience to new heights. The students left Rogers’ Arena feeling exhausted yet inspired, determined and anxious to make a difference.