The most dangerous time for an abused women is when she attempts to leave her abuser. And although Canada has more than 400 emergency shelters, in some communities women and their children are regularly turned away because the shelters are full.

Raising awareness is often a good first step, and functions well as a means to an end -- but it cannot be viewed as an end in itself. Activism simply does not end with the sharing of a Facebook post or a retweet; it's great to tell your friends that something is important enough to share with them, but it's virtually meaningless if it doesn't lead to further action.

Each week, I give my two children a small allowance. Since I'm trying to teach them about managing money responsibly, their coins are automatically divided among three different jam jars: Spending, saving, charity. This week, Canada's federal government announced the amalgamation of CIDA and DFAIT. What will happen when the two jars become one?

There's no question most people are committed to giving back — in 2010, the average Canadian donated $446 to charity. And with so many of us spendin...

In late November TELUS asked their Facebook friends a simple question; if you could give anything to anyone, what would you give? To give is one thing, but to involve the average person and allow them to be part of the sharing is a beautiful thing.

Last March I had the privilege of co-founding Skate To Great out of a conversation I had with a friend about how every kid should have the opportunity to skate in Canada. I've learnt a lot along the way. The idea, bring industry bodies in hockey and skating together with children's charities and corporate partners so regardless of economic or physical circumstances, any kid who wants the opportunity to skate, gets it.

While "Giving Tuesday" hasn't fully migrated north to Canada, the idea behind it is appealing. With all the ads and other reminders to shop and give at this time of year, I think it's worth stepping back for a moment to consider how and why we give and also the far-reaching results certain gifts can generate.

Now, I give a lot of money and a lot of time to charitable causes. Yet many times I find myself dressed up and wondering "Just who/what am I raising money for tonight?" But if you give without thought, without conviction, without understanding what you can REALLY do to help, what are you really giving?

When Nelly Furtado showed up at Toronto’s We Day 2011 youth rally, the 20,000 teenage activists in attendance likely expected some songs and maybe a...

Craig and Marc Kielburger, co-founders of Free The Children and Me to We, seek solutions to significant social problems. In this excerpt from their bo...