Changing Attitudes, Changing the World Symposium Throughout the week of the 2005 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Nagano, Japan, Special Olympics conducted a series of discussions and special events as part of the "Changing Attitudes, Changing the World Symposium." These events ranged from family discussions at competition venues to dinners for Special Olympics Program leaders and other key constituency groups to formal presentations and press conferences.   To launch the Symposium, Special Olympics presented, with the Tokyo Games Organizing Committee, an all-day Education Forum and press event unveiling critical research findings in Tokyo on Friday, 25 February. This event marked the first public release of groundbreaking studies that have been conducted by Special Olympics in countries around the world over the past two years.   The Education Forum opened at 9:00 a.m. with an overview of Special Olympics in Japan and around the world, including presentations by Yasuo Tanaka, Governor of Nagano Prefecture; Kenji Kosaka, Member of the House of Representatives (Nagano, 1st District); Timothy Shriver, Special Olympics Chairman and CEO; as well as Special Olympics athletes, family members and volunteers. Governor Tanaka and Shriver also addressws a press conference, which began at 11:00 a.m. A summary of the research findings also were presented.   Following an interactive lunch, the research briefings began at 1:00 p.m. New findings regarding attitudes of youth and adults toward intellectual disability, the role of media in the (mis)portrayal of intellectual disability, the attitudes of health professionals toward people with intellectual disabilities and the impact that has on the health and lives of people with intellectual disabilities were featured. Printed reports on the research findings were available at the forum, which concluded at 3:30 p.m.   The Symposium culminated in an international Policy Forum on Saturday, 5 March, prior to Closing Ceremonies for the 2005 World Winter Games. The Policy Forum brought together government and non-governmental organization leaders to address high-level policy issues that advance or impede opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities around the world. Highlights of the Forum included a panel on the United Nations Convention on Protection and Promotion of the Rights and Dignity of Persons with Disabilities, reflections on the Games experience in Nagano and its legacy for Japan, and the signing of a "Partnership for Change" agreement between Special Olympics and the government of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as represented by Prime Minister Adnan Terzic.   Other "Changing Attitudes, Changing the World" Events 27 February 2005 Global Youth Forum Municipal Building, Nagano City 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.   28 February – 5 March 2005 Family Discussions Family Centers at all Competition Venues Noon – 1:00 p.m. Youth Discussions Various locations Daily   3 March 2005 Program Leaders Forum and Dinner Hotel Kokusai 21, Nagano City 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.