The Special Olympics Global Youth Leadership Forum took place in Baku

29 September 2018

On September 24, more than 220 guests from 45 countries were in Baku at the Opening Ceremony of the Special Olympics Global Youth Leadership Forum.

Youth and Sports Minister Azad Rahimov, Chairman of the International Special Olympics Movement Timothy Shriver and other officials attended the ceremony.

Initially, a video clip dedicated to the Special Olympics Movement was demonstrated.

Azad Rahimov noted that Azerbaijan is proud to be recognized as a country of sport and the value placed on young people: "Azerbaijan is a country with ancient and rich history, culture and traditions. By hosting the Special Olympics Global Youth Leadership Forum 2018, we demonstrate the value we place to all our young people - those with and without mental disabilities. This Forum will serve as a new bridge and a hopes’ lighthouse to a more inclusive world for everyone who feels isolated from society. Azerbaijan has been a member of the Special Olympics Movement for 25 years, and all conditions for its development have been set here. Thus, we won medals at the Special Olympic Games. I express my gratitude to all the organizations supporting the Special Olympics Movement in Azerbaijan and the guests came to Baku".

Timothy Shriver said that those young people represent the next generation of leaders, the Unified Generation, who are determined to deliver on the promise of inclusion — for the 200 million people in the world with intellectual disabilities and for everyone.

Then, the official Special Olympics flag and the flame of hope were presented to Azad Rahimov.

According to the event participants, 120 youth leaders with and without intellectual disabilities will participate in a forum driving the movement for inclusion in Baku on September 24-28. This Forum is one of the main events dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the Special Olympics Movement.

During the forum, these young leaders, who were supported by 100 adult leaders and experts, will develop and implement inclusive projects in their home countries. These projects will be supported by the grants of International Special Olympics Foundation. The five-day Forum is supported by the Ministry of Youth and Sport of the Republic of Azerbaijan, as well as Lions Clubs International, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation and other organizations.

One of the key objectives of the Special Olympics movement over the next 50 years will be the promotion of youth engagement through worldwide school-based initiatives — known as the Unified Schools program — and the development of the Unified Generation, in which young people with and without intellectual disability come together through inclusive sport and leadership.

At this Forum, youth leaders have opportunities to develop and expand their understanding of how they can drive social inclusion in their country. They explore new strategies and actions from globally recognized experts in leadership and social change to help advance a more inclusive world using the Special Olympics Unified Sports platform — where participants train and compete together.

The youth leaders will develop projects in Baku to be implemented in their home countries in after the Forum. These projects, which will be supported through grants from Special Olympics International, are expected to result in 8,500 young people being newly engaged in inclusive sports and leadership activities in 250 new Unified Schools and sports clubs worldwide.

The next event was held at the Baku Sports Palace. Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports Ismayil Ismayilov, head of sports department Farid Mansurov, vice president of Azerbaijan Wrestling Federation Namig Abdullayev, veteran footballer Iskender Javadov, Karate master Rafael Aghayev were among the participants.

The event started with the performance of young gymnasts. Then the coaches of the Azerbaijan Gymnastics Federation and double Olympic Champion Nadia Comaneci coached trainings. Nadia Comaneci presented diplomas to the young gymnasts.

Then, a football match between well-known athletes and young people with intellectual disabilities started. Three teams – Azerbaijan, European Special Olympic Movement and World Stars competed in the tournament. The host team, including Farid Mansurov, Rafael Aghayev, Namig Abdullayev and other well-known athletes, won the both games. However, as a sign of hospitality, the gold medals were presented to the World Stars at the awarding ceremony. The Azerbaijani team was awarded bronze medals.

After the tournament R.Agayev said that football is his favorite sport after karate: "We delighted our youth and all the children. I am grateful to the organizers of this event. "

N.Abdullayev said that playing football with young people with intellectual disabilities is very good and a message to the world.

On September 26, the legendary Brazilian footballer Cafu (Marcos Evangelista de Morais) signed up as a Special Olympics Global Ambassador.

Along with the veteran footballer, David Evangelista, President and Managing Director, Special Olympics Europe Eurasia and Special Olympics Brazil athlete Emanuelle Dutra Fernandes de Souza attended the ceremony.

D.Evangelista thanked Youth and Sports Minister Azad Rahimov for organizing the Forum in Baku: "It is nice to see Cafu and Emanuelle here today. The famous footballer will be our ambassador. And then we will try to expand our area."

Cafu said, he was pleased to be attending this kind of event at his first visit to Baku: "Being a member of the Special Olympic Movement is one of the happiest moments in my life. The most important thing about money and every victory is to make the kids smile. "

Later, Cafu and D. Evangelista signed a cooperation agreement.

Cafu performed in the Brazilian national team during 1990-2006. The 48-year-old defender worn jerseys of Brazilian "Sao Paulo", Spanish "Zaragoza", Italian "Rome" and "Milan", and other famous clubs. He is the only player to have participated in three World Cup finals – of which he won two in 1994 and 2002.

More photos on flickr   |   Special Olympics Europe_Eurasia