The Philippines is the first nation in the Asia Pacific to become an official member of the Special Olympics Global Coalition for Inclusion, a key milestone to drive inclusion for people with intellectual disabilities through education and sport. The signing ceremony occurred on April 8.
This DepED-Special Olympics Pilipinas collaboration seeks to improve the inclusive education environment by reaching a minimum of 50,000 students from all levels of education Pre-school, Elementary, Junior High School, and Senior High School through Unified Sports, in which those with and without intellectual disabilities join forces in playing sports together, in 500 schools. A minimum of 2,000 teachers will also be trained to successfully apply inclusive practices within schools.
This effort is in accordance with the continuous Philippine government campaign for inclusive education through different policies and programs. For instance, the National Education (EFA) Plan and the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013 have assisted in opening special education classes in regular elementary and secondary schools and the integration of learners with disabilities into mainstream classes. The Philippine Republic Act No. 11650 also strengthens the commitment to making sure that people with disabilities are provided with access to equitable, inclusive, and quality education.
The signing ceremony took place at the Philippine School for the Deaf and was attended by DepED Secretary of Education Sonny Angara, Special Olympics Asia Pacific President & Managing Director Dipak Natali, and Special Olympics Pilipinas Chairperson and National President Akiko Thomson-Guevara, among ambassadors, government officials, and other special guests.
Secretary Angara spoke of pride in the Philippines being the first nation in the region to become a member of the Special Olympics Global Coalition for Inclusion, saying, "This partnership reaffirms our commitment to inclusive education and sports, ensuring that every Filipino child, regardless of ability, has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive in a more equitable society."
Akiko Thomson-Guevara underscored the purpose of the MOU to leave no one behind when she said, "The aim of this is to give them the chance to improve physical fitness, show courage, enjoy happiness, and share gifts, skills, and friendship with their families, fellow competitors, and people in the community." She wished that these actions would make people understand and embrace persons with intellectual disabilities and include them within a worldwide inclusive society.
Dipak Natali pointed out that the inclusion of the Philippines in the Global Coalition is a milestone for the Asia Pacific region and called on other nations to join and continue inclusive education. "It is critical that we act proactively to promote the well-being of individuals with intellectual disability, one of the planet's most marginalized groups," he added.
The Special Olympics Global Coalition for Inclusion, funded by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, is a multi-stakeholder platform that engages governments, the private sector, and international philanthropy to leverage the power of inclusive education through sports globally. It has the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), Lions Clubs International Foundation, Fondation Botnar, and clothing brand H&M as partners.
With the entry of the Philippines into the Coalition, there are now 21 countries participating in a geographically dispersed entity that encompasses Angola, China, Cyprus, Egypt, Ghana, Gibraltar, Greece, Iceland, Jamaica, Kenya, Kosovo, Malta, Mongolia, Montenegro, Panama, Paraguay, the Philippines, Seychelles, South Africa, Trinidad and Tobago, and the United Arab Emirates. The Philippines is the first to sign up with the Coalition after Special Olympics pledged to induct 20 more member countries at the Global Disability Summit held in Berlin this month.
