Mark it on your calendar, WE is painting London Town blue! Come March 4th, The SSE Arena in Wembley will be overrun with young change-makers ready to take on the world’s biggest challenges.
Mark it on your calendar, WE is painting London Town blue! Come March 4th, The SSE Arena in Wembley will be overrun with young change-makers ready to take on the world’s biggest challenges.
What do thought leaders, world-class performers and young change-makers have in common? On March 4th, WE Day UK!
Now in its seventh year, WE Day UK brings schools from London and its surrounding areas together to celebrate world-changing social activism led by local students using WE Schools service-learning resources. And while every school’s impact differs, depending on the local and global issues close to its students’ hearts, each school is connected by a mutual belief in teaching the importance of volunteerism and advocacy to foster a generation of knowledgeable and compassionate change-makers.
“Inspiring young people to get active and be powerful global citizens building a brighter future is an amazing thing to be a part of. I couldn’t be happier to join them on their mission,” says show host, singer-songwriter Leona Lewis.
WE Day UK’s impressive lineup of speakers and performers feel the same way. From the heartening words of Maya Ghazal, a young woman with dreams of becoming the first female Syrian refugee pilot, to life lessons shared by fashion model Adwoa Aboah, the passionate activist behind “Gurls Talk,” an online support network for young women, expect the speeches at WE Day to be as enthralling as they are inspirational.
Below, check out a roundup of just a few of the guests on this year’s WE Day UK ticket.
Tip: Can’t make it to London for the big show? Join thousands of viewers from all around the globe and tune in to WE Day UK online via our live webcast.
You know this Golden Globe winner from hit shows like BBC’s Luther and the global phenomenon that is the Avengers universe (hey, Heimdall!), but did you know that Idris Elba is as celebrated for his off-screen actions as he is his on screen acting? See his Britannia Humanitarian Award for proof. Presented by the British Academy of Film and Television in recognition of industry professionals who have used their status to highlight humanitarian causes, the actor, musician and producer is a standout social advocate, dedicated to supporting disadvantaged youth through his work with the Prince’s Trust. Come WE Day UK, we anticipate this guest speaker will have audiences on their feet cheering for social change.
Delicious, simple and nutritious dishes have become synonymous with chef Jamie Oliver’s signature style of cooking. His cookbooks are a favorite among busy families looking for healthy meal ideas to cook up for their kids. A father himself, Oliver is passionate about the need to ensure children have easy access to healthy meals both at home and at school. This passion has translated into a recent commitment to cutting childhood obesity in the UK by half come 2030 by way of making healthier options more accessible, affordable and convenient. Pushing through his goal via advocacy and knowledge sharing, we predict Oliver will have no difficulty rallying the public behind his cause—WE Day-goers certainly will be there to support. Cue the applause!
As a six-time Formula One World Champion, considered to be one of the greatest drivers in the history of the sport, Lewis Hamilton is a person of accomplishment. His most impressive contribution, though, is arguably one that extends beyond the racetrack: social advocacy. A vegan with a passion for all things ecofriendly and sustainable, the sports icon has become an undeniable force in the realm of socially conscious living. Come spring, one need only visit their favorite department store to see how far Hamilton’s influence stretches, with Tommy Hilfiger adopting the athlete’s principles and creating its first vegan fashion collection, TommyXLewis. A social advocate with style, our eyes and ears will be locked on this speed demon when he takes the WE Day stage.
As the first—and only—female Prime Minister of Australia, Julia Gillard has been a long-time advocate for women’s rights in the workplace. Women’s equality is a cause she’s been acutely aware of since she was a student at the University of Adelaide, and a passion she’s carried across legal and political careers. Now, Gillard is inspiring the next generation to be advocates for equality. With an unwavering faith in the youth of today, we look forward to the advice this WE Day speaker has to share with those looking to change the world.