Latest on Family Programme and Young Athletes across the Region
April 29, 2013
Special Olympics Malta becomes member of World Disability Union
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First General Assembly of the World Disability Union in progress, Istanbul April 6th - 7th 2013
World Disability Union
During the First General Assembly of the World Disability Union (WDU), held in Istanbul April 6th - 7th, Special Olympics Malta has been approved as a Member of the WDU, as a result of this membership Malta has also been approved as a Member State in the WDU.
Malta was represented by Mrs Simone Attard, Family Co-ordinator of Special Olympics Malta. Simone is also the current Global Family Leader for the Special Olympics Europe Eurasia Region.
During the First General Assembly, Simone presented to the delegates from 65 different countries and 6 continents her presentation regarding the rights for persons with intellectual disability.
After her presentation Simone Attard was appointed to serve as a member of the Advisory Board for WDU and also was elected to serve as a member to the Commision of Rights of Persons with Disabilities Research and Strategy Development within the WDU.
With these International Appointments, Malta will have a leading role in the setting up of Universal Standards and Policies for Persons with Disabilities.
New Young Athletes in Finland
Congratulations to Special Olympics Finland who have just completed their first Young Athletes project through the Mattel Children’s Foundation. The project started in July 2012 and took place in the regions of Nastola and Salo, Finland. Young Athletes demonstrations were carried out during Family Activity Days and Summer Camps and the overall project has now resulted in the recruitment of 50 Young Athletes and 50 new family members.
A strong relationship has also developed between Special Olympics Finland and the Sports Institute who provided the facilities for the Summer Camps. We look forward to hearing more about the continued success of their Young Athletes Programme.
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Simone Attard (second from left) at the Global Family Leader Summit, PyeongChang 2013 Games.
New Global Family Leader
We are delighted to welcome Simone Attard from Special Olympics Malta as our new Global Family Leader for the SOEE region. Simone recently attended the Global Family Leader Summit during the World Winter Games in Korea where she was officially appointed.
The Global Family Leader Programme seeks to motivate and activate family members to be fully engaged as community builders and to support the expansion of the Young Athletes programme by 100% in every region by 2015.
Simone is an integral part of the Special Olympics Malta team and is very involved with their Healthy Athlete Programme, in particular during the National Games in 2012. She is also involved with family outreach and the Young Athletes Programme.
Welcome Simone from the Special Olympics family.
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Jozef Kwiotek will be deeply missed by all at Special Olympics.
Sad Passing of Jozef Kwiotek
We are deeply saddened by the loss of Jozef Kwiotek, Family Programme leader for Special Olympics Poland. Jozef passed away earlier this month on Monday 11th of February following a short battle with cancer. Jozef had amazing optimism, inner strength and life wisdom; he will be missed very much.
Jozef was involved with Special Olympics Poland for over 20 years and was a wonderful ambassador for the movement. He was the true “heart” of the family programme, always happy and ready to help others in any way he could.
This will be a huge loss for Special Olympics and for all who knew him. He is survived by his wife Grazyna and sons Slawek and Mariusz.
Rest in Peace Jozef.
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