Kathleen Wynne, Minister of Education: Statement to the Legislative Assembly


Celebrating "Spirit of Mandela" Week

April 26, 2007

Mr. Speaker, I rise in the house today to recognize the Toronto District School Board and the Toronto Catholic District School Board and their celebration of the second annual Spirit of Mandela Week, which is currently taking place from April 23 – 27.

Begun last year, this special week invites students, staff, families and community members from both boards to learn more about this inspirational leader and the challenges facing the children of South Africa.

As part of the week long celebration, a "Toonie Day" is held to raise funds to improve the lives of disadvantaged children and youth in South Africa in partnership with the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund (Canada).

In South Africa, more than a million children have lost one or both parents to HIV/AIDS. The funds being raised by the students will help support many child- and youth-centred programs and development projects.

Mr. Speaker, I can think of no better way to honour the spirit of a man — one of the most important fighters for democracy, freedom and justice in the 20th century — than by coming together to improve the lives of disadvantaged children and youth.

In 2001, Mr. Mandela came to Toronto to mark the re-naming of a school in his honour, Nelson Mandela Park School. During that visit he spoke to the students about the importance of education, and stated that their success need not be predicated on race or status.

He said: "We know that you are the future leaders, not only of Toronto, not only of Canada, but of the entire world."

And I agree. We, in the education system in Ontario, have a great responsibility to live up to the spirit of Mr. Mandela. We have in our hands the future of not just our city, not just our country, but of this planet.

And it is our job to provide the opportunity for our children to embrace their potential, seize opportunities and become citizens of this global village. And that is why our government is reforming and rebuilding education in Ontario — so that we can reach every student. They are our future.

Mr. Speaker, Nelson Mandela once said "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world."

It is that sentiment we are celebrating during "Spirit of Mandela" week. And we should all keep in mind these powerful and poignant words as we celebrate Education Week next week.

I congratulate the Toronto District School Board and the Toronto Catholic District School Board, their students, staff, families and community members on starting and supporting this initiative and reminding us of a man whose spirit and determination did change not just a city, not just a nation, but the entire world.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.