Kigali, Rwanda – 17 September 2024 – In recognition of Special Olympics Rwanda’s continued excellence in inclusive education, the country will play host to 50 delegates from 11 countries for the Special Olympics Africa Unified Champion Schools Workshop from 24 – 26 September at the Four Point Sheraton.
Special Olympics Rwanda has 20,172 registered athletes and Unified partners. The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and competition for people with intellectual disabilities, breaking down barriers so they can be full members of their community.
In 2020, Rwanda became the first and only grant recipient from Africa of the three year Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools (UCS) project initiative which took place in six selected countries: Argentina, Egypt, India, Pakistan, Romania and Rwanda. The initiative is a collaboration between Special Olympics International and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates and the ruler of Abu Dhabi.
Building upon the success of the past four years, during which Special Olympics Rwanda achieved "Regional Hub of Excellence" status, reserved for Programs with the highest level of programming, this workshop aims to extend this excellence to new Programs across the region. By sharing their expertise, Special Olympics Rwanda aims to elevate UCS programming and underscore the importance of inclusion within education. Today, 41 Program countries across Africa Region have 3,735 Unified Schools and 759 Unified Champion Schools.
Unified Champion Schools
A showcase of the Unified Champion Schools model will take place at Lycée de Kigali, including a Special Olympics Unified Sports® experience. Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools is aimed at promoting social inclusion through intentionally planned and implemented activities affecting systems-wide change, through inclusive youth leadership, whole school awareness, and inclusive sports. Special Olympics Unified Sports® are an integral part of Unified Champion Schools as a tool proven to build tolerance and inclusion in schools, and is supported by a global network of sports federations and global sponsors.
The theme for the event is “Excellence in Action—Expanding Unified Champion Schools Across Africa” and will cover three days of sessions that include international speakers on Unified Champion Schools, youth leadership, inclusive education, and early childhood development (Special Olympics Young Athletes). The leaders from different country Programs will be equipped in financial accountability, government relations, media engagement and sustainability planning.
“Special Olympics Rwanda is extremely proud to host this keystone event, and to share its experiences and activities. Unified Champions Schools has had a great impact in the Program communities, from primary schools, secondary schools, to universities, and we are glad to be sharing our practices,” said Pastor Sangwa Deus, Chair of Special Olympics Rwanda.
“Special Olympics and the Crown Prince Court of Abu Dhabi entered a partnership to grow Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools around the world as part of the 2019 Special Olympics World Games legacy. A critical element for this global expansion was empowering a select group of Programs to adapt the UCS programming model for their local context and opportunities, and serve as a model for UCS implementation to other Programs in their Region and around the world. Special Olympics Rwanda was selected as a global leader, out of over 190 eligible countries where accredited Special Olympics Programs exist.”
"We extend our deepest gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for his unwavering support of Unified Champion Schools. His commitment to inclusion and education is truly inspiring,” said Dr. Jackie Jodl, Chief, Global Youth and Education, Special Olympics International. “During the three-day event, the workshop aims to foster an interactive environment where National Directors, Program staff, adult mentors, and young individuals with and without intellectual disabilities from diverse Programs across Africa can convene. Our hope is to facilitate not only the expansion in the number of schools but also the enhancement in quality of UCS programming throughout the region. Through sharing experiences, exchanging best practices, and collaborative discussions, we aspire to elevate the standards and effectiveness of Unified Champion Schools across the board."