WE Day Vancouver inspires thousands of youth to change the world

Rogers Arena was flooded with 18,000 youth from nearly 800 schools across the Lower Mainland to celebrate WE Day Vancouver.

WE Day brings together students, youth advocates, and inspirational stars to motivate and promote a positive change for the world.

This year’s WE Day featured a star-studded line of performers and speakers including:

Lilly Singh
George Takei
Serena Ryder
Margaret Trudeau
Jus Reign
Paula Abdul
Jully Black
Tyler Shaw
Jacob Trembley

Motivational words from WE Day speakers

Daily Hive Vancouver was able to catch up some WE Day headliners and ask what inspires them to create change in the work they do.

ME to WE motivational speaker, WE Ambassador, and author Spencer West lost both of his legs to a genetic disorder when he was only five. Doctors told him he would never walk but West proved them wrong. West overcame tremendous obstacles and climbed Mount Kilimanjaro using his hands and wheelchair.

Spencer West/ Jamie Poh for WE Day

West hopes to set an example to youth that they can do anything they put their mind to.

“I hope to use myself as an example. Like listen, regardless of what our challenges are – mine you can physically see – but everyone has got some sort of challenge that we can overcome and that we can give back at the same time,” he tells Daily Hive.

For award-winning Canadian singer-songwriter and speaker Jully Black, WE Day motivates her to create a positive impact in the world.

“You have the power to change the world. One tiny, tiny thing can have a big impact,” she said. “There’s so much we can do. We’re just here to serve. I love that the youth, the children, are teaching us.”

Daily Hive also had the chance to sit down and speak with Canada’s very own Jacob Tremblay. The award-winning pint-sized star had a lot to say about spreading positivity and kindness.

A global movement

WE Day co-founders Craig and Mark Kielburger were also in attendance to promote WE’s message of youth empowerment on local and global platforms.

“Every year, more than 200,000 students from over 10,000 schools around the globe earn their ticket to WE Day through the year long WE Schools program, creating positive impacts at their schools and in their communities,” said Craig Keilburger.

“WE Day Vancouver will unite and celebrate thousands of young leaders who are working very passionately for the causes they care about most, creating sustainable change on a local and global level.”

Lilly Singh/ Jamie Poh for WE Day

Jacob Tremblay/ Jamie Poh for WE Day

George Takei/ Jamie Poh for WE Day

Inspiring young people also took the stage at the event to share the differences they are making in their own communities.

Hani Al Moulia is one of those inspirational youth changemakers who spoke at today’s WE Day. Al Moulia is legally blind but is an accomplished photographer and a promising student. He arrived in Canada with his family in 2015 from his war-torn home in Homs, Syria. After experiencing the loss and trauma of war, Al Moulia uses photography as an outlet and he encourages youth to embrace the power of togetherness to make a difference.

WE Day is part of a global movement known as WE, which brings people together and provides them with the tools needed to change the year. This year, over 200,000 young people are expected to come together in 15 stadium gatherings across Canada, the US, and the UK to take part in this educational initiative.