Youthink asked, WE answered: Behind the Scenes at We Day Vancouver

For Emily's main event coverage of We Day, click here!

On September 29th, when Janine, Youthink's editor, tapped me on the shoulder and suggested we head back to the We Day pressroom, I struggled to tear my eyes away from the main event. Somewhat reluctantly, we left the arena of GM Place and the 16,000 fanatical youth, their faces aglow with the lights of their waving cell phones, and slipped backstage. We had work to do!

GM place was filled with the energy of 16,000 youth

Here, we found ourselves in a small cold room, accompanied by 15 or so other reporters. We took a seat no more than two metres from the row of chairs where our interviewees would sit - interviewees including Jane Goodall, Mia Farrow, Sarah McLachlan, the cast of Degrassi, Jason Mraz, Jacob Hoggard of Hedley and more! A Free the Children representative informed us that Jane Goodall was on her way, and I began shivering, unsure whether it was from the chill of the room or the anticipation.

Jane Goodall addresses the press

Jane Goodall had a sweet, knowledgeable countenance as she entered, hair pulled into a knot and parchment-like skin crinkling into a smile. When she spoke to me, she never once broke eye contact, stressing that “there's no way we can save the environment if it's surrounded by people living in poverty. There's no way we can save the environment while such a large portion of the world's people are living unsustainable lifestyles.”

Mia Farrow talks about her recent trip to Darfur

A few minutes after Jane Goodall exited the pressroom, in came Sarah McLachlan, and after her, Mia Farrow, eyes wide and smiling, almost child-like in her excitement of having just met His Holiness the Dali Lama. She spoke as if she were addressing an old friend, even sidetracking from the question to say to me, “I should tell you about my Mother Theresa meeting, did I tell you about that?” On her way out, she paused and turned to our row of seats, asking, “Did Jane Goodall come through here yet? Which way did she go?” And yet, for all her fresh wonderment and enthusiasm, she also relayed a heavy and tragic message of her experiences in Darfur, pleading for help.

Jason Mraz at the press conference

Next to wander through the doorway was Jason Mraz, a white peace scarf draped around his neck. His passion for music was obvious in each of his answers, as he explained how it was music that had led him to get involved in Free the Children, and music that he considers “is this invisible substance that just exists in whatever it is that stands between you and I right now, whatever it is that we can't see that we're actually living in.” He also added, “I feel like I'm participating in a time in life right now that... must be what it felt like in the 60s. I really do feel a shift and a general awareness and awakening happening all over the world.”

Emily get a one-on-one interview with Craig Kielburger

Craig Kielburger addressed the media next. His passion for the organization an event he'd founded was obvious in every word he spoke. He promoted Free the Children's new 10 by 10 campaign, aimed at changing the world through small actions with great love. There was no doubting his conviction as he stated, “I think it's very possible in the lives of these students to end the worst forms of poverty in this world, that 1.1 billion people who live on less than a dollar a day. And this is the generation, as Mia Farrow said, the generation that we have been waiting for to make that come alive.”

Robyn Wiszowaty, author and public speaker, also stressed how youth can make a big difference through their small contributions. Partway through her reply, Janine and I were invited back into the red carpet room for one-on-one interviews!

Some more one-on-one time - with Marc Kielburger this time!

Here, we spoke to Marc Kielburger about how We Day will continue to make a difference throughout the year, and then to Craig, again, about why becoming a global citizen at a young age is essential.

Musician/activist Louise Kent informed us of her hopes for the expansion of Me to We Music, and the cast of Degrassi told us about their Me to We trips to Kenya and Ecuador. In a humbling encounter, ex-child soldier, Michel Chikwanine told us how he used hope and determination to overcome a war-torn childhood.

Emily with Hedley's Jacob Hoggard

We returned to the pressroom for one final question and interviewee. Jacob Hoggard of Hedley told us about a more serious side of himself that we don't always see on camera, one hoping to make a positive impact on our world.

When I re-entered the stadium, I found myself the only person left in the reserved media seating (the other reporters had hurried off to file their stories). So I closed my We Day experience in the only way that seemed fitting - a way that, I think, represented what the day was about: celebrating life, committing to change, taking action, and having fun. As Jason Mraz stepped up to the mike, I stood up, all alone, and danced.

For Emily's pre-report of We Day, click here.
For Emily's Q&A pressroom session with the celeb speakers of We Day, click here.