The class of 2007-2009 Special Olympics International Global Messengers are not only visionaries; they want action Every two years, Special Olympics selects 12 athlete spokespersons from around the world to serve as International Global Messengers. The 2007-2009 Special Olympics International Global Messengers. All Global Messengers photos © 2007 Jessica Marcotte. You can meet our Global Messengers by clicking on their photograph. Meet our Global Messengers for 2007-2009   Adil Asif Visram Andrew Robert Williams Chen Cong Dustin Plunkett Hareb Ahmed Al Jasmy Ioana Ciobanu   Jessica Crook Joshua Agare Juan Jose Estevez Martha Hill Patrick Brehmer Tam Wai Yip   You will need the Adobe Flash Player to view these profiles. While maintaining their regular sports training and competition schedules, Global Messengers serve a two-year term, and address audiences of government officials, business executives and the general public, sharing their personal stories of triumph with Special Olympics and communicating the powerful declarations of hope, acceptance, dignity and courage of Special Olympics athletes around the world. "Special Olympics breaks down barriers and acts as a catalyst for social change around the world, and our Global Messengers are among our most powerful advocates as to what can be achieved through inclusion and acceptance." - Special Olympics Chairman   Timothy Shriver The newest class of International Global Messengers (2007-2009) was chosen from nominations of more than 300 Special Olympics athletes from 60 Special Olympics Programs. Athletes were evaluated on their history of advocacy, public speaking aptitude, sportsmanship, personality, willingness to travel and enthusiasm for the Special Olympics movement. Since the inception of the program in 1998, the International Global Messengers have proven to be the most effective spokespersons for the worldwide movement. Special Olympics athletes who have participated in the program have achieved tremendous success during and after their tenure. Some of their accomplishments include serving on the Special Olympics International Board of Directors, meeting with high-profile world leaders including U.S. Presidents George W. Bush and William Clinton and former South Africa President Nelson Mandela, authoring books, and hosting international televised events.   Return to ALPs Home