Dear Friends,

I have heard many say that the word of the year is Allyship. I have to agree.

The term rightly encapsulates where Special Olympics finds itself today; this uncertain and shifting landscape where we are forced to question the ways in which we work and the barriers that people with intellectual disabilities face; questions that have led us back to basics.

Since our inception 53 years ago, Special Olympics has led with an aim to bring the world along with us; with the principles that we now refer to as allyship being integral to our mantra. Now, as the world changes, we find the importance of allyship is amplified.

In fact, we talked about the value of allyship earlier in the year - How to be a better Ally and given its ongoing importance to us all, I feel its appropriate to revisit and re-acknowledge it at as we look to what our vision for 2022 ought to be.

With activities like Young Athletes and our recent #WalkforInclusion campaign, the key is to invite children without intellectual disabilities and their parents to play alongside children with intellectual disabilities; breaking down fears and apprehensions and through simple play, fostering allyship. 

Similarly, our work with young people perpetuates a sense of collective growth and  a shared sense of mutual support to address the challenges that people with and without intellectual disabilities face today. Gaining strength from each other to highlight pertinent issues that young people want to address – from mental wellness; bullying; isolation and marginalisation to systemic challenges around access to education and employment, we are seeing Allyship in action within Special Olympics everyday.

Our work both on and off the playing field seeks to heighten and strengthen bonds - and this stems from a recognition that the Special Olympics movement cannot exist in a vacuum. Our work in sports, health, leadership and advocacy can only be effective when we form meaningful alliances across society; within community based organisations, schools, sports clubs and federations, with healthcare professionals and hospitals to governments and international development agencies. 

To try to change the world on our own would be futile. Inclusion only comes from supporting others and working together for the benefit of all. 

And with this, thanks for being our ally. May we continue to change the game and we hope you enjoy the read.

Yours Sincerely,

Dipak Natali
President & Managing Director
Special Olympics Asia Pacific

SHARE THE #GIFTOFINCLUSION

Special Olympics Asia Pacific launches #GiftofInclusion the final phase of the #Walkforinclusion campaign that started in July this year in celebration of the Global Week of Inclusion.

The campaign features 12 different surprises with activities that promote inclusion to encourage people to count down to Christmas in the most meaningful way while celebrating the many milestones of the campaign like clocking over 2 million steps in support of people with intellectual disabilities.

There is also a festive relaunch of the AR filter game that was well recieved in the previous phase of the campaign.

Netball PNG and Special Olympics PNG signed a Memorandum of Agreement on International Day of Persons with Disabilities which aims to create a supportive environment for young people to learn, share and develop life skills through sport.  

Training and competition, public awareness and engagement, resource development and administration were the top priorities highlighted in the memorandum. President of Netball PNG Ulato Avei said since partnering with Special Olympics PNG, new avenues for netball inclusion have been unlocked. 

“This is clearly helping us implement one of our strategic objectives covering inclusiveness and is a reflection of Netball PNG’s commitment to expanding opportunities to all interested parties, including people with disability,” Avei said.  “The program delivered by trained coaches helps develop confidence in participants, enhancing their self-worth and perception. In doing so, it promotes positive attitudes towards women, youths, and people with disabilities.”