Feb 7, 2019
Leaders Building Inclusive Communities in Africa
The Special Olympics Africa Regional Leadership Conference brought leaders from 37 countries together over four days, from 28–31 January 2019, the largest number ever!
Building Inclusive Communities
Themed “Building Inclusive Communities”, Special Olympics program leaders and athlete leaders were equipped to continue bringing Inclusion to Africa Region in 2019.
Over the course of the conference, guest speakers shared on their areas of expertise in marketing, partnership development, government relations and planning. Representatives with resource mobilization knowledge the Leadership Development Initiative, the Pan-African Capacity Building Program and from Special Olympics International headquarters participated in the conference.
In addition, representatives from the Local Organising Committee of the Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019 , travelled to share insight on using the legacy of the Games to spread the message of inclusion. This included a diplomatic dinner hosted by the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates to South Africa in Pretoria.
The conference ended on an exciting note with a Walk Unified event also led by His Excellency Mahash Saeed Alhameli, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to South Africa, sharing his support for Africa Region’s athletes going to the Games and the importance of what they stood for.
UAE Embassy celebrates inclusion with Africa Region on the road to Abu Dhabi
It’s just over 30 days until the Opening Ceremony of the Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019! Representatives from the Local Organising Committee travelled from Abu Dhabi to share insight on using the legacy of the Games to spread the message of inclusion. This included a diplomatic dinner hosted by the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates to South Africa in Pretoria, and H.E. Mahash Saeed Alhameli, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to South Africa. Speakers included:
- H.E. Mahash Saeed Alhameli, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to South Africa
- Mohamed Eisa AlAnsaari, Director, International Relations, Local Organizing Committee, Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019
- Charles Nyambe, President & Managing Director, Africa Region, Special Olympics
- Brightfield Shadi, Athlete Leader & former Sargent Shriver International Global Messenger 2015–2019, Special Olympics Botswana
- Mathews Phosa, Chair, Special Olympics South Africa
- Timothy Shriver Ph.D, Chairperson, Special Olympics International
Walk Unified event encourages inclusion
H.E. Mahash Saeed Alhameli, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to South Africa, led over 120 people from across Africa Region in a Walk Unified event to the UAE Embassy in Pretoria, South Africa.
Started by H.H. Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Walk Unified is an initiative by the Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019 which aims to break down barriers between people with and without intellectual disabilities and encourage a healthy lifestyle and inclusiveness. Launched by the Local Organizing Committee, its goals are to promote the participation and full inclusion of people with determination in the community, enhance equal opportunities, and support and empower them to play their role in the advancement and development of the country.
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Romi Reinecke | +27 11 706 3323 | rreinecke@specialolympics.org
