People with Down syndrome speaking up worldwide

Dear Supporter,

Thank you for being part of something truly special.

Every year on March 21st, the world comes together for World Down Syndrome Day. This year, thanks to supporters like you, we were able to help people with Down syndrome speak up and be heard on a global stage.

This year's theme was "Together Against Loneliness" - and it's a topic that really matters. Everyone feels lonely sometimes, but for many people with Down syndrome and other intellectual disabilities, loneliness is a much bigger part of daily life. Our network of over 160 member organisations came together to bring this important issue into the spotlight.

Here's what Down Syndrome International got up to:

In Geneva

We teamed up with the United Nations Office at Geneva, the European Down Syndrome Association, and ART 21 to put on a packed programme of events, including:

• A World Down Syndrome Day celebration at the United Nations building (19 March)
• A workshop where people with Down syndrome practised speaking up for themselves (21 March)
• An inclusive show and gala evening (21 March)

In New York

On 23rd March, we hosted the 15th World Down Syndrome Day Conference at the United Nations headquarters in New York. Over 40 self-advocates and other experts took to the stage to talk about the real impact of loneliness and what needs to change. Together, we called on world leaders to take action so that people with Down syndrome and other disabilities are truly included in their communities.

You can watch a recording of the New York conference here 

None of this would be possible without you. Your support helps us give people with Down syndrome a voice on the world stage - and that makes a real difference.

Thank you,
The Down Syndrome International Team