The Special Olympics Global Coalition for Inclusion convened in Turin, Italy, during the Special Olympics World Winter Games, bringing together global leaders, government officials, and advocates to drive systemic change for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
As the Coalition continues to expand its reach, this gathering showcased success stories and best practices emerging from partnerships with committed nations. With a growing network of member countries and increasing financial investment in inclusive education, the Coalition is demonstrating how collaborative action through sports can create lasting change.
The gathering was attended by key figures, including Special Olympics International Chairman Timothy Shriver, Ph.D.; Italian Minister for Disabilities Alessandra Locatelli; European Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture, and Sport Glenn Micallef; Director General for International Cooperation, European Integration and EU Fund, Ministry of Education, Montenegro Marko Vukašinović; and Minister of Culture, Sports, Tourism and Youth, Mongolia Nomin Chinbat.
Additional notable attendees included Stavros Niarchos Foundation Senior Advisor to the Board of Directors Ambassador Vassilis Kaskarelis; Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) Chairperson Dr. Patti Hill; and UNFPA's Regional Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia Florence Bauer.
Timothy Shriver, Ph.D delivered a compelling message about the urgency of this movement.
"This is a coalition of the willing, capable of changing the course of history. We believe we can change the course of history. We saw during the Opening Ceremony of the World Games Turin 2025 what history's capable of producing. And we are here today because we are joined in a commitment, to making sure that we don't miss our chance."
He also called on policymakers, educators, and business leaders to recognize the immense potential of people with IDD, emphasizing that when given opportunities, they thrive.
The Global Coalition for Inclusion has rapidly expanded since its inception at the Special Olympics World Summer Games Berlin 2023, growing to 18 member nations.
With the support of a grant from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF), the Coalition brings together governments, multilateral organizations, civil society, and private sector partners, including the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), Lions Clubs International Foundation, Fondation Botnar, and H&M Move. Together, these entities have pledged over USD 18 million to support Unified Schools programming, ensuring that students with intellectual disabilities are fully integrated within their school communities.
Glenn Micallef added: "True inclusion is about action. The Coalition’s work ensures that inclusion is embedded in education systems through sports, and in the daily lives of millions around the world.”
“Sports have the power to unite us, to teach us that ability is not defined by limits but by opportunities. The work of the Special Olympics Global Coalition for Inclusion is not charity, it is about building a society that is as strong as its commitment to its most marginalized members.”
As part of its ongoing efforts, the Coalition will host an official side event at the Global Disability Summit in Berlin, Germany, on 3 April, titled "Inclusion in Action: The Global Coalition for Inclusive Education and Sport." This event will serve as a platform to renew the call to action for countries to join the Coalition, strengthen the global commitment to inclusive education, and position Special Olympics and its partners as thought leaders in inclusive education through sport.
The Coalition offers its members access to technical expertise, global recognition, and best practices in inclusive education. By aligning with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), members gain valuable resources to implement and expand their inclusion efforts.
Sargent Shriver Global Messenger and Special Olympics Mongolia athlete Yeruult Batbayar concluded:
When I first started my Special Olympics journey in 2014, I was shy and reserved, but now I am self-confident, because Special Olympics helped me see that I can do a lot and should not be afraid of anything.
Batbayar added: “Today, as we gather here in Turin, we are not just talking about inclusion, we are building a movement that will change lives for generations. Together, we can continue changing mindsets, and ensure that every person with IDD has the chance to reach their full potential. Let’s not wait for the change. Let's lead it together.”
By bringing together a wide range of stakeholders, the Coalition aims to increase opportunities for over 2 million young people in more than 150,000 schools and extend Special Olympics programming to 180 countries.
The Coalition’s members span a diverse geographic footprint, including Angola, China, Egypt, Ghana, Gibraltar, Iceland, Jamaica, Kenya, Kosovo, Malta, Mongolia, Montenegro, Panama, Paraguay, Seychelles, South Africa, Trinidad and Tobago, and the United Arab Emirates.
For more information on the Special Olympics Global Coalition for Inclusion and its ongoing initiatives, visit the official Special Olympics website.
