Global leaders urge help to people with intellectual disabilities

SHANGHAI—Leaders from all sectors called on unprecedented attention on the attitudes and needs of people with intellectual disabilities at the Special Olympics Global Policy Summit in Shanghai Wednesday.
More than one thousand scholars and officials from 60 countries and regions took part in the one-day summit which is part of the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games. The summit, entitled “Commitment to Changing Lives: the Global Policy Summit on the Well-being of People with Intellectual Disabilities”, was co-hosted by Special Olympics International and the China Disabled Persons’ Federation.
“The commitment made today by leaders from all sectors will help enhance the opportunities and rights of people with intellectual disabilities and the work of Special Olympics worldwide,” said Timothy P. Shriver, Chairman of the Special Olympics International. “Through sport, Special Olympics lays a foundation for community-based development and advancement; collaboration with global leaders extends reach even further for peace, prosperity and human dignity.”
Using the powerful platform of sport, the Global Policy Summit began with a global snapshot highlighting key research findings on the attitudes towards, status of and prospects for people with intellectual disabilities, then it was led into an in-depth analysis of the progress that China has made. Addressing the opening ceremony of the summit, Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu said the Chinese government would take the opportunity of the 2007 Special Olympics to further facilitate the Special Olympics movement, and take more positive measures to help people with intellectual disabilities.
“The Chinese government has all along attached great importance to the cause of people with intellectual disabilities, and considers it an important part for its human rights cause and its efforts to build a harmonious society,” the vice premier added. He also believes the summit will result in very important progress and help to call on real actions from the whole society to improve the living condition of the people with intellectual disabilities.
Key addresses by high-ranking officials, including Arnold Schwarzenegger, Governor of California, the United States, focused on empowerment through community development, the power of Special Olympics to change lives and inclusive education. “The Global Policy Summit was one of China’s greatest legacies to Special Olympics,” said Wang Zhijun, Chairman of Special Olympics China. “We are honored to showcase 25 years of impact and development of essential resources serving China’s intellectual disability community in front of an unprecedented gathering of peers and influential global leaders.”—Xinhua