Education Cannot Wait and Special Olympics International Unite to Promote Inclusion through Sports
In a groundbreaking initiative aimed at enhancing the inclusion of children with intellectual disabilities, Education Cannot Wait (ECW) has partnered with Special Olympics International (SOI). This strategic collaboration was announced on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, marking a significant milestone in the pursuit of educational equity and inclusion through sports. The partnership seeks to dismantle barriers faced by children with disabilities residing in some of the world's most challenging crisis conditions.
The effort is particularly crucial as it targets the educational obstacles that children with intellectual disabilities confront during emergencies and prolonged crises. ECW plans to utilize its Acceleration Center to support SOI in the expansion of the Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools® program. This initiative aims to foster social inclusion by creating environments that welcome both students with and without intellectual disabilities. It incorporates interconnected components such as Unified Sports®, inclusive youth leadership, and school-wide participation. This holistic approach not only promotes acceptance but also facilitates the integration of children with disabilities into mainstream educational settings.
Currently, it is estimated that there are around 22.4 million children and adolescents with disabilities living in emergency and crisis situations who continually face significant barriers to accessing quality education. According to Yasmine Sherif, executive director of Education Cannot Wait, marginalization caused by disabilities is severely heightened during times of crisis. "One child with a disability may potentially develop extraordinary abilities. We have no idea what these children can accomplish. So, we take immense pride in collaborating with Special Olympics International to ensure that children with intellectual disabilities can realize their right to quality inclusive education through sports. Together, we're setting a precedent on how the global community can address the urgent need for inclusive education for children with untapped potential in the world’s most challenging environments," Sherif stated.
As the global fund for education in emergencies and protracted crises established by the United Nations, ECW is committed to reaching 10% of children with disabilities through its investment portfolio. It proactively seeks to unite a diverse array of strategic partners including governments, UN agencies, civil society, and public and private sector donors to combat this pressing crisis.
In Uganda, the partnership will launch Unified Champion Schools specifically designed for children with intellectual disabilities living in refugee settlements and similar environments. This initiative will be kickstarted with a $75,000 grant from the ECW Acceleration Facility. Timothy Shriver, president of Special Olympics International, emphasized the significance of this alliance, stating, "Children with intellectual disabilities are often marginalized and excluded from the promise of education and dignity. By joining forces with Education Cannot Wait, we are building a movement for inclusive education that ensures all children, regardless of their abilities, have the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive. Our commitment to creating a world where education serves as a bridge to opportunities ensures no one is left behind."
From 2018, ECW has allocated over $80 million to support educational programs in Uganda, aiming to foster inclusive, equitable, and quality educational experiences for refugee children and communities hosting them. This support has already impacted more than half a million children.
About Special Olympics: Founded in 1968, Special Olympics is a global movement dedicated to eliminating discrimination against people with intellectual disabilities. It promotes acceptance through the power of sports and programming in education, health, and leadership. With a network of over four million athletes and Unified Sports® partners, as well as a million coaches and volunteers across 200 countries, Special Olympics offers more than 30 Olympic-type sports and nearly 50,000 games and competitions annually.
About Education Cannot Wait (ECW): As the global fund for education in emergencies and protracted crises established by the United Nations, ECW supports quality educational outcomes for children and youth affected by crises such as refugees and internally displaced persons, ensuring that no child is left behind. Using a multi-year programming approach, ECW collaborates closely with governments, public and private donors, UN agencies, civil society organizations, and humanitarian actors to enhance efficiency and end isolated responses. ECW urgently appeals for increased support from both public and private donors to reach even more vulnerable children and adolescents.
The effort is particularly crucial as it targets the educational obstacles that children with intellectual disabilities confront during emergencies and prolonged crises. ECW plans to utilize its Acceleration Center to support SOI in the expansion of the Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools® program. This initiative aims to foster social inclusion by creating environments that welcome both students with and without intellectual disabilities. It incorporates interconnected components such as Unified Sports®, inclusive youth leadership, and school-wide participation. This holistic approach not only promotes acceptance but also facilitates the integration of children with disabilities into mainstream educational settings.
Currently, it is estimated that there are around 22.4 million children and adolescents with disabilities living in emergency and crisis situations who continually face significant barriers to accessing quality education. According to Yasmine Sherif, executive director of Education Cannot Wait, marginalization caused by disabilities is severely heightened during times of crisis. "One child with a disability may potentially develop extraordinary abilities. We have no idea what these children can accomplish. So, we take immense pride in collaborating with Special Olympics International to ensure that children with intellectual disabilities can realize their right to quality inclusive education through sports. Together, we're setting a precedent on how the global community can address the urgent need for inclusive education for children with untapped potential in the world’s most challenging environments," Sherif stated.
As the global fund for education in emergencies and protracted crises established by the United Nations, ECW is committed to reaching 10% of children with disabilities through its investment portfolio. It proactively seeks to unite a diverse array of strategic partners including governments, UN agencies, civil society, and public and private sector donors to combat this pressing crisis.
In Uganda, the partnership will launch Unified Champion Schools specifically designed for children with intellectual disabilities living in refugee settlements and similar environments. This initiative will be kickstarted with a $75,000 grant from the ECW Acceleration Facility. Timothy Shriver, president of Special Olympics International, emphasized the significance of this alliance, stating, "Children with intellectual disabilities are often marginalized and excluded from the promise of education and dignity. By joining forces with Education Cannot Wait, we are building a movement for inclusive education that ensures all children, regardless of their abilities, have the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive. Our commitment to creating a world where education serves as a bridge to opportunities ensures no one is left behind."
From 2018, ECW has allocated over $80 million to support educational programs in Uganda, aiming to foster inclusive, equitable, and quality educational experiences for refugee children and communities hosting them. This support has already impacted more than half a million children.
About Special Olympics: Founded in 1968, Special Olympics is a global movement dedicated to eliminating discrimination against people with intellectual disabilities. It promotes acceptance through the power of sports and programming in education, health, and leadership. With a network of over four million athletes and Unified Sports® partners, as well as a million coaches and volunteers across 200 countries, Special Olympics offers more than 30 Olympic-type sports and nearly 50,000 games and competitions annually.
About Education Cannot Wait (ECW): As the global fund for education in emergencies and protracted crises established by the United Nations, ECW supports quality educational outcomes for children and youth affected by crises such as refugees and internally displaced persons, ensuring that no child is left behind. Using a multi-year programming approach, ECW collaborates closely with governments, public and private donors, UN agencies, civil society organizations, and humanitarian actors to enhance efficiency and end isolated responses. ECW urgently appeals for increased support from both public and private donors to reach even more vulnerable children and adolescents.
Topics Policy & Public Interest）
【About Using Articles】
You can freely use the title and article content by linking to the page where the article is posted.
※ Images cannot be used.
【About Links】
Links are free to use.