The Athens-based Stavros Niarchos Foundation has announced a three-year, $8.5 million grant to the Special Olympics in support of efforts to advance inclusion in education around the world.

The grant will support the launch of a Global Coalition for Education and Inclusion, which aims to engage fifty ministries of education, sport, youth, and social welfare and provide support and guidance to inform inclusive policies; create a network of global thought leaders to spread the impact of the Unified Schools inclusive sports programming and galvanize support for Special Olympics’ global inclusive policy agenda; and expand the Play Unified: Learn Unified initiative to twenty-two countries. Play Unified: Learn Unified promotes social inclusion and social-emotional learning through inclusive sport, inclusive youth leadership, and youth-led advocacy for inclusion in primary schools, secondary schools, and universities.

“We are honored to gain the continued support of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation to bring to the world a Global Campaign for Inclusion that rejects and counters the divisive words of political extremes,” said Special Olympics International board chair Tim Shriver. “The Special Olympics’ message of inclusion is one of acceptance of difference that touches hundreds of millions of children and youth around the world. We know that our athletes, and the youth of today across the world have a voice that needs amplification, and strong consideration. Their message is apolitical, non-polarizing — it is one of solidarity, unity, and hope that will see us through such a divisive time in human history.”

(Photo credit: SNF)
Source: PND