The world needs your kid, my kid and these kids from rural Uganda. Education is key to empowerment.

In the final analysis it is not what you do for your children, but what you have taught them to do for themselves that will make them successful human beings. ~ Ann Landers

Bringing up a child in global village can be a daunting task. It’s hard to hide the stark realities of poverty, natural disasters and disease in an increasingly connected world.

What do you say when your child asks about Haiti? How do you respond to the tough questions? How do you encourage them to “be the change,” as Gandhi said? Enter Craig and Marc Kielburger, co-founding brothers of Free the Children.

In 1995, at the age of 12, Craig happened upon a story in a newspaper about plight of child labourers in South Asia. Incensed by the unfairness of their situation, Craig began a movement to help underprivileged kids overcome their circumstance. Free the Children  was born.

From a group of 11 school age kids to a network of over one million children, involved in programs in 45 countries worldwide, this group has become world leaders in equipping youth with the tools to move societal mountains.

Free the Children’s (FTC) mission is to empower children in North America to help children in developing nations through leadership, fundraising, and humanitarian relief trips. Education is the key component, fostering learning in both participants and recipients.

Knowing my passion for social justice, and my role as a mom trying to create a child with a global consciousness, a good friend (and former FTC staffer) sent me a copy of Craig’s new book, The World Needs Your Kid: How to raise children who care and contribute. How was I to know that this book would provide me with as much an education as it would my son?

Broken into three main subject areas based on FTC’s “Three C’s”, this book aims to develop compassion, courage and community in youth, from the elementary years to high school and beyond. The book is choke full of “To Do” lists that young children can participate in. Tasks like tidying toys, putting dirty clothes in the hamper, and clearing the table might seem small, but this is where a sense of responsibility and giving to others begins.

From these baby steps, the book leads parents through identifying their children’s strengths, and channelling them in ways that foster an understanding of “the big picture.” If your child excels at public speaking, help them study topics that relate to developing nations. If they take an interest in current events, take the time to explain the headlines. Hiding children from the world doesn’t produce the leaders of tomorrow—education does.

Testimonials from celebrity activists like Jane Fonda, Angelina Jolie and Steve Nash add an element of fun and pop culture. Including expert opinions from David Suzuki, Dr. Jane Goodall, and Archbishop Desmund Tutu lend the book credibility. Stories from real kids bring the subject matter to life, and make it relevant. There’s nothing in this book you can’t do.

Working in the world of community development both online and off, my favourite sentiment was one from Archbishop Desmund Tutu, who said, “I have also learned that we are made different, capable of our own special miracles, not in order to be separated but to know of our need for each other.” And that’s the key—we’re all made with unique talents to create a better world. If we can teach that to our children, then nothing is impossible.

It also makes the hard questions easier to handle. Why does poverty exist like it does in Haiti? Because not enough children were taught to see the power they have to ease pain and suffering. What do we do about it? Equip our children with the lessons from this book, and model the behaviour. Our children learn from us. If we aren’t “being the change” how can we expect them to know how?

This is a much an entreaty to adults as it is their children. We must take responsibility for the world around us. Giving people a voice evolves with age and stage, but certain truths hold supreme: compassion, courage and community are universal.

How are you encouraging your children to become global citizens?

Bryna is a mother, blogger, public relations professional and humanitarian relief worker. She currently works as Communications Specialist for Engine Communications in Belleville, Ontario.

Tags: author, book, children, Free the Children, Haiti