Special Olympics Bharat marked the National Education Day by kicking off the National Youth Leadership Summit 2021 virtually. Around 150 viewers joined on the first day of the summit that held discussions around the UN SDG #4 (Sustainable Development Goals), Quality Education. The subject of Education was deliberated at several levels, through diverse stakeholders including the youth with and without Intellectual Disability, the School admin, Special Olympics State leaders, Coaches, Special Educators and more
Held virtually across two days, the Summit will draw attention to the vision of inclusion and transformation in attitudes and behaviour through the youth, making schools and communities places of unity and acceptance. The Summit is planned for 11 and 12 November 2021 from 5 to 7 PM (IST) each day rolling out Panel Discussions and interactions around the subject of Education on the first day and turning attention to an Inclusive working environment, Health, and building communities of acceptance through engaging the families of Persons with intellectual Disability, on the next. On both the days the Summit will be anchored by Unified pairs, comprising of a Youth with Intellectual Disability and another without.
The occasion was graced by dignitaries from the Special Olympics including Mr Dipak Natali, President and Managing Director, SOAP; Dr Mallika Nadda, Chairperson, SO Bharat and Air Cmde Lalit K Sharma, Executive Director, SO Bharat.
In the words of Mr Dipak Natali: Young people are future leaders. They form the foundation around which the collective future of humanity will rest. Society is constantly being formed and developed by the values, opinions and ideas of its youth and so it is crucial that we support the development of positive values and inclusive mindsets. This starts at home, in your family, with your friends, it happens on the local cricket pitch, in the local park and in local community organizations, and most importantly, in schools.
At Special Olympics, we believe that school is about much more than academic success. It is about understanding the value of community and participating in a civilized society. When schools offer this as part of their learning journey, we set up a future that embraces more than personal success but also societal success.
Dr Mallika Nadda, Chairperson, SO Bharat said: Over the years we have observed the involvement of stakeholders from diverse sections, around Youth activation. That demonstrates the support that the community is building, to empower the youth to lead the change. The U.N. Sustainable Development Goals are a significant part of the Special Olympics Strategy 2021-24, and this Summit will carry out discussions and reflections around the U.N. SDGs. The schools are very important spaces that nurture Inclusion and as per the National Education Policy 2020 Inclusion is a very important factor in the school curriculums. The schools are important spaces that nurture Inclusion. It is to the academic fraternity that I would like to reach out, to introduce Special Olympics, regularize Unified Sports and to engage the youth and all others.
Quality Education and Special Olympics
The three-component model of the Special Olympics Unified Champion School programming is proven to create positive school climates. Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools® is a program that systematically promotes social inclusion by bringing together young people with and without intellectual disabilities utilizing three components: Special Olympics Unified Sports®, Inclusive Youth Leadership, and Whole-School Engagement. Each component has a strong impact on students and faculty with and without intellectual disabilities while also creating an environment that amplifies from the school into the community.
