Tuesday, September 20, 2022 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM EDT In partnership with the Toronto District School Board
Hybrid Program
We are thrilled to introduce a hybrid program this year, streaming from a live show and audience at Northern Secondary School in Toronto, Ontario!
WHATISFREEDOMDAY?
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Freedom Day, a one-day event, was created to COMMEMORATE the life of Simon Wiesenthal and to carry on his legacy of diversity, inclusion, justice and human rights; to EDUCATE about violations of freedom both from historical and current perspectives; and to INSPIRE youth to be change-makers in their homes, schools and communities. Freedom Day has expanded into a highly anticipated, multicultural celebration of Canadian values for students from public, Catholic and private school boards from across the GTA and surrounding areas. Each year, we gather to actively participate in the festivities, and be inspired to take action in making Canada a more tolerant and inclusive society.
2020 marked our first-ever virtual Freedom Day program. The program was viewed over 1,000 times by schools across Canada. In 2021, we continued with the virtual format.
Streaming on YouTube from the live event at Northern Secondary School in Toronto, Ontario!
In partnership with the Toronto District School Board Program Schedule: Program Welcome: MC Rick Campanelli Opening remarks: Michael Levitt, FSWC President & CEO Speaker’s Idol Finalist: Nevaeh Pine Musical Performance: Kairo McLean Keynote Address: Kim Phuc Student Presentation with Holocaust survivor: Andy Réti Musical Performance: Kairo McLean Closing remarks: MC Rick Campanelli
"The Girl in the Picture"
eynoteSpeak P H U CKIM
Rick Campanelli is one of Canada’s most recognizable TV personalities. After spending nearly a decade with MuchMusic as one of their most popular hosts, he made the leap from the “nation’s music station” as a co-host of ET Canada for 12 years, where he covered many of the world’s most glamorous events from the Golden Globes to the Oscars Today, Rick is the co-host of Z103.5’s morning show.
This year's Freedom Day has an incredible line-up. From musical guests, to special words from a Holocaust survivor, this year's program will be nothing short of inspiring!
Now Mrs. Kim Phuc PHAN THI lives in the Toronto area of Canada with her husband and two sons, Thomas and Stephen. She received Honorary Doctorates from York University, University of Griffith, Queen's University, University of Lethbridge, Saint Mary's University, and Union University of California. She is also the author of the book, Fire Road.
In light of Kim’s struggle, a foundation has been established to further heal the wounds of war The Kim Foundation International is a non-profit organization committed to funding programs to heal children in war torn areas of the world. It is named for Kim Phuc, who wants to give back what so many gave to her to contribute to her healing.
C A M P A N E L L IRICK
This year is the 50th anniversary of a photograph taken of a young girl running naked down a road, her skin on fire with napalm during the Vietnam War. The photograph later won a Pulitzer Prize. The girl in the picture is Kim Phuc.
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Andy Réti is a child survivor of the Holocaust. Born in 1942 in Budapest, he was only two years old when his mother and grandmother were forced out of their home in Hungary and into a Jewish ghetto.
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M C L E A NKAIRO
Kairo made Canadian history by being the youngest person to win a Juno. He won the Juno for best reggae recording of the year, with his debut EP “Easy Now” ANDY
Accompanied by a special group of students
R É T I
Kairo Logan McLean was born in Toronto, Ontario on July 15th, 2008 His father Garvin McLean is Jamaican and his mother Gamlynne Ferdinand is Canadian and of Jamaican / Trinidadian descent. When Kairo was 2 years old he began to show an interest in music and by the time he was 3 he was already playing drums. At 5 he picked up the acoustic guitar and by 6 he was already singing and performing at festivals.
Andy attributes his survival to the courage, resilience and sacrifice of his mother and grandmother He believes that “every Holocaust survivor’s story is a love story; the love of life, family and freedom.” Andy has been involved in Holocaust education since 1998. In 2001, he wrote The Son of an Extraordinary Woman a sequel to his mother’s book, An Ordinary Woman in Extraordinary Times, which was written in 1990 In 2016, the two books were combined and re released as Stronger Together
Please RSVP for the livestream by emailing Melissa at mmikel@fswc.ca www.fswc.ca @friendofsimonwiesenthalcenter @CanadianFSWC @friendofsimonwiesenthal In partnership with the Toronto District School Board