Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

Global Youth Leadership Forum

six images of young adults and kids performing in activities outside.
Community Impact

Creating Special Olympics Unified Schools in Kenya

The Kenyan government estimates that over 3 million people of its population have a disability which exemplifies the need for Special Olympics Unified Schools.
1 Min Read
Two girls with Lacrosse stick and ball standing in front of net.
In the News

Youth leaders organise first Unified Lacrosse event in Estonia

Youth leaders have worked with Special Olympics Estonia and the Estonian Lacrosse Federation to organise the country's first Youth Unified Lacrosse event!
1 Min Read
Four different images with two people in each smiling and showing friendly support of one another.
Press Releases

Special Olympics Announces Second Round of Youth Innovation Grants

142 youth leaders with and without intellectual disabilities are the recipients of a second round of Special Olympics Youth Innovation grants, resulting in 84 Youth Innovation Projects.
3 Min Read
Peter Kanzunguze Jr, a Leo from Blantyre, Malawi (left) with participants at the Special Olympics Global Youth Leadership Forum in Baku, Azerbaijan which took place from 24 to 28 September.
Athletes

Choose to Include: An End to Discrimination

Peter Kanzunguze Jr. describes his experience of the Global Youth Leadership Forum and how it has empowered him to advocate for an inclusive society!
3 Min Read
Cafu is smiling and wearing a black polo, surrounded by athletes and representatives; all are cheering.
Videos

Legendary footballer Cafu becomes Special Olympics Global Ambassador

Special Olympics welcomed its latest Global Ambassador, legendary Brazilian footballer Cafu, to the movement during the Global Youth Leadership Forum in Baku, Azerbaijan.
1:02
Special Athletes, Unified Athletes, and coaches shake hands and give one another high-fives on the court. One team is wearing yellow and black uniforms and the other is wearing blue and white uniforms.
Videos

Volleyball, Gymnastics and Football at the Global Youth Leadership Forum

An overview of sports at the Global Youth Leadership Forum in Baku, featuring Special Olympics Board Members, Nadia Comaneci and Bart Conner and Global Ambassador, Vladimir Grbic.
Athlete and Special Olympics representative give one another a high-five as a media photographer takes their picture.
Videos

Welcome to the Global Youth Leadership Forum in Baku

An introduction to the Special Olympics Global Youth Leadership Forum in Baku covering the first day and Opening Ceremony.
2:39
Cafu smiling wearing a black polo that reads, Special Olympics Global Athlete
Press Releases

Welcome to the team! Cafu joins Special Olympics as Global Ambassador

Legendary Brazilian footballer Marcos Evangelista de Morais—known as Cafu—has today signed up as a Special Olympics Global Ambassador.
5 Min Read
(L-R): Ben Haack, Lucy Meyer and Ian Harper: Athlete leaders will make up a key part of the Special Olympics Global Youth Leadership Forum. They function as spokespersons between the Special Olympic athletes and the outside world.
In the News

'Engage the youth and you engage the world'—athlete leaders are paving a way forward for Special Olympics

During the Special Olympics Global Youth Leadership Forum in Baku an important role will be played by the athlete leaders of the movement.
4 Min Read
Special Olympics Chairman Dr Timothy Shriver (L) and the honorable Azad Rahimov, Minister of Youth and Sport of Azrbaijian together with Special Olympics athletes from Azerbaijan light the flame.
In the News

Lighting the flame of inclusive attitudes—the core commitment on day one of the Global Youth Leadership Forum

"We are here not because we haven’t made progress, but because we haven’t made enough."
3 Min Read
Load More