The Philippines became the first country in Asia Pacific to officially join the Special Olympics Global Coalition for Inclusion, which progresses inclusion for people with intellectual disabilities through education and sports. The partnership was officially signed on Tuesday, April 8, at the Philippine School for the Deaf with no less than Department of Education (DepED) Secretary Sonny Angara, Special Olympics Asia Pacific President & Managing Director Dipak Natali, and Special Olympics Pilipinas Chairperson and National President Akiko Thomson-Guevara as signatories. Under the partnership, DepEd and SOP will collaborate to advance the inclusive educational landscape by engaging a minimum of 50,000 students from all levels, Pre-school, Elementary, Junior High School and Senior High School,through Unified Sportsâ (where people with and without intellectual disabilities play sports alongside each other), across 500 schools. In addition, at least 2,000 educators will receive specialized training to ensure inclusive practices are effectively implemented in schools. The partnership is aligned and strengthens the Philippines government’s ongoing push to further inclusive education through various policies and initiatives. For instance, the National Education (EFA) Plan and the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013, supported the growth of special education classes within the regular elementary and secondary schools, special education support and the inclusion of learners with disabilities into existing regular classes. The Philippine Republic Act No. 11650 also enshrined a commitment to promoting inclusive education and ensuring that no person with a disability is deprived of the right to access inclusive, equitable, and quality education. “The Philippines is honored to be the first country in Asia Pacific to join the Special Olympics Global Coalition for Inclusion. 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,” said Angara. For her part, Thomson-Guevarra said: “The aim of this is to give them the opportunity to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, fellow athletes and the community.” She went on to say they hope their efforts will open hearts and minds towards people with intellectual disabilities, helping them become part of a global inclusive community. “The inclusion of the Philippines in the Global Coalition represents a significant milestone for the Asia Pacific region. We want more countries in our region to join the coalition and expand inclusive education. It is of fundamental importance that we take proactive action toward supporting people with intellectual disabilities; one of the world’s most marginalized communities,” added Dipak Natali. The Special Olympics Global Coalition for Inclusion, made possible by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, is a multilateral platform that works closely with governments, private sector and global philanthropy to expand the reach and impact of inclusive education through sports around the world. This includes the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), Lions Clubs International Foundation, FondationBotnar and textile brand H&M. With the Philippines joining the Special Olympics Global Coalition for Inclusion, the total number of participating countries has grown to 21. The Coalition's members span a diverse geographic footprint, including 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. Philippines is the first country to join the Global Coalition, following Special Olympics’ commitment to bring on board 20 additional new member countries, made at the Global Disability Summitin Berlin earlier this month.