Over 25 years, WE built a golden brand by inspiring children to rally around their charismatic leader. But behind the scenes, employees experienced a cult-like culture and a troubling blur of charitable and commercial activities. In the aftermath of a national scandal, thousands of donors and volunteers (and dozens of ‘celebrity ambassadors’) are left wondering where the money went, and whether the savior industry creates a constant need for victims.
From CANADALAND, the news company that exposed it all, this is the exclusive story of a charity that did well when it was supposed to be doing good.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Over 25 years, WE built a golden brand by inspiring children to rally around their charismatic leader. But behind the scenes, employees experienced a cult-like culture and a troubling blur of charitable and commercial activities. In the aftermath of a national scandal, thousands of donors and volunteers (and dozens of ‘celebrity ambassadors’) are left wondering where the money went, and whether the savior industry creates a constant need for victims.
From CANADALAND, the news company that exposed it all, this is the exclusive story of a charity that did well when it was supposed to be doing good.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Craig Kielburger was the Greta Thunberg of the 90s – a 12 year-old kid from the suburbs who dreamed of freeing the world’s children from slavery. His activism made him famous, and he was endorsed by Oprah, the Pope, the Queen, and the Clintons. His campaign became a global movement and a powerful brand.
But right from the start, there were uncomfortable questions about money and exploitation. Decades later, it all came crashing down. But the seeds of WE’s self-destruction were planted right from the start…
Official responses from WE:
According to the WE Organization: neither the WE Organization nor Marc or Craig Kielburger have ever been investigated by a law enforcement agency, currently or in the past.
The WE Organization maintains that all financial transactions between its various entities, both charitable and for-profit, have followed all applicable laws.
In his libel claim against Saturday Night Magazine: Craig Kielburger said that the article was false and led people to wrongly believe he was keeping the money for himself. According to a reported statement by a Free the Children accountant, donations made prior to the organization becoming a registered charity were deposited in a separate bank account, and the group was being run as a charity pending Revenue Canada’s approval of its application.
2018 investigation:
https://www.canadaland.com/all-of-wes-answers-to-canadaland-and-letters-from-their-lawyers/
2019 investigation:
Further reading:
Canadaland’s reporting on WE Charity: https://www.canadaland.com/?s=we+charity
The WE Charity story, according to WE:
https://www.we.org/en-CA/about-we/we-charity/our-story
WE.org Transparency page:
https://www.we.org/en-CA/transparency-reporting/we-charity
WE.org Financials page:
https://www.we.org/en-CA/about-we/we-charity/governance/
ME to WE Transparency page:
https://www.we.org/en-CA/transparency-reporting/me-to-we
Music by Audio Network
This episode contains source materials used under the Fair Dealing provisions of the Copyright Act.
Sources:
It Takes a Child
Craig Kielburger’s Story – A Journey into Child Labour
Directed by Judy Jackson
Produced by Judy Films
Youtube
The Story of Craig Kielburger
produced, and narrated by Sherine Mansour
CPAC
Youtube
In Search Of Character
LiveWire Media
Elkind+Sweet Communications, Inc
https://www.livewiremedia.com/product/in-search-of-character/
The Price WE Paid
The Fifth Estate/CBC
Interview with Craig...
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.