Special Olympics International Italy

07.08.2025 - 18:07:52

Special Olympics Calls on G7 Nations to Strengthen Commitment to Disability Inclusion at Historic Summit

program leverages sports competitions, clubs and student organizations to catalyze inclusion in schools and communities. This model creates opportunities for young people with and without IDD to learn from one another by building friendships that bridge differences. Research demonstrates that all students benefit from this inclusive model, with measurable results for students both with and without IDD – from an improved sense of community to better reading and math scores.

Special Olympics' invitation to the G7 Minister's Meeting follows the organization's first annual letter on the Global State of Inclusion in Education, which found that countries around the globe are falling short of their commitments to inclusion. In 2023, the organization called on governments to dedicate a minimum of three percent of their national education budgets to increase social inclusion for students with IDD. In Summer 2023, Special Olympics also announced the formation of the Global Leadership Coalition for Inclusion, a pioneering multilateral effort, comprising governments, industry, philanthropy and the development community, to increase inclusive practices in education and sport, and create more inclusive schools and communities.

About Special Olympics
Founded in 1968, Special Olympics is a global sports movement to end discrimination against people with intellectual disabilities. We foster acceptance of all people through the power of sport and programming in education, health and leadership. With over four million athletes and Unified Sports® partners and one million coaches and volunteers in 200 countries, Special Olympics delivers more than 30 Olympic-type sports and nearly 50,000 games and competitions every year. Engage with us on: X, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn. Learn more at SpecialOlympics.org.