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Imagine a stadium full of students…

Posted in On The Road, Announcements on Oct 18, 2007

… and they’re not drunk on anything but their capacity to change the world for good.

Sound like a Christian rock concert or a visit from the Pope? Well, maybe we progressives should learn a thing or two from the religious types.

I’m happy to report that we are learning. On Friday, I and other evangelists for human rights will speak to thousands of Toronto students and teachers about transforming our society. The event is called “Me to We” and you can watch it - LIVE - on MTV online starting at 9 am Eastern time.

The line-up of speakers includes Romeo Dallaire, former head of peacekeeping forces in Rwanda. He repeatedly warned the United Nations about an impending genocide. Under Secretary General Kofi Annan, the UN ignored him. But that didn’t stop Dallaire’s mission of compassion. He’ll be on around 10:30 EST.

With Betty at “Students Effecting Change” conference

As for me, I’ll go on at about 12:50 pm EST. My theme? Tune in and find out! You can grab a hint - but it’s only a hint - by reading the Toronto Star.

By the way, I’m taking a red-eye flight to Toronto so I can arrive at the event on time. The reason I care so deeply is that I’m moved by students like this, who recently wrote to me:

im a 14 year old girl and i find everything you do and have done with your studies amazing. you will be speaking on october 19 at me to we day and i greatly look forward to it. i also have your book the trouble with islam today and im constantly reviewing it. i am serbian croation and bosnian and my backgrounds fight like there is no tomorrow about stupid issues. i love the fact that you are out-spoken. - andrea

She’s a powerhouse of leadership potential. I, for one, will do everything I can so that percolating potential becomes kinetic energy.