Special Olympics Bharat conducts National Youth Leadership Summit 2022
New Delhi, November 15: Special Olympics Bharat conducted the Annual Youth Leadership Summit bringing together Unified Pairs (youth with and without Intellectual Disability) from across 17 states of India at the YMCA, New Delhi, from November 9-12, 2022.
The role of the youth in promoting the UN-Social Development Goals was deliberated at several levels, through stakeholders from diverse backgrounds, including students with and without intellectual disability, school administrative officials, Special Olympics International and state leaders, coaches, special educators, sports and fitness experts, media persons and family members of the SO Bharat athletes, as per a press release from Special Olympics Bharat.
Also Read: Newly mom Alia Bhatt drops first pic since daughter birth
The summit drew attention to the vision of inclusion and transformation in attitudes and behaviour through the youth making schools and communities places of unity and acceptance. Panel discussions had representatives from UNICEF, WWF and various educational institutions who shared their experiences, challenges and opinions around making educational institutions spaces to nurture inclusion by bringing together youth with and without Intellectual Disabilities at varied levels.
The summit was anchored by Unified Pairs, who also steered the panel discussions; many of the youth with intellectual disability being medallists from the Special Olympics World Games held earlier.
"This summit has brought together guests from diverse backgrounds outlining each one's ability and relevance to drive the inclusion revolution. It provided a platform for the youth from all over India to highlight and share their experiences of the work being done through the Special Olympics Unified Champion School programming. We have our endeavours strongly steered towards educational institutions to build communities of acceptance, bringing inclusion of persons with intellectual Disability."
The occasion was attended by dignitaries from Special Olympics International including Lynn Tan, Director Initiatives and Pam Rolink, Manager Initiatives from the Asia Pacific Region & Air Cmde Lalit K Sharma, Executive Director of SO Bharat.
Lynn Tan, Director Initiatives, Special Olympics Asia Pacific said, "We want to empower young people to be changemakers to build a more inclusive society. The themes of changing mindsets through inclusive practices and sports as a tool for heightening inclusion in educational institutions are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. We are confident that by young people at the forefront of driving inclusion, the future generations will be more accepting and kind."
Also Read: UGC's new initiative on "India: The Mother of Democracy"
Over 150 people joined the sessions including unified Sports and Panel Discussions.
The Summit was made possible with the support of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the U.A.E., Ruler of Abu Dhabi, and Supreme Commander of the U.A.E. Armed Forces.
- ANI
