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Last minute
October 2, 2024
Luis Ramírez, Minister of Education and Culture, Paraguay
Cesar Ramírez, Minister of Sports, Paraguay
Claudia EcheverryPresident and Director of Special Olympics Latin America
Paraguay plays a pivotal role in inclusion in the region. As a demonstration of this commitment, from October 4 to 12, Asuncion will host more than 1,000 athletes from across the hemisphere to compete in the fourth state-sponsored Special Olympics Latin America Games. It has been known for decades that sport is a powerful tool for social change; They foster community, promote inclusion and empower athletes. Sport, along with education, is an essential tool for development, especially for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. As we approach the Latin American Regional Games, it is an opportunity to reflect on the critical importance of each.
In the area, people with Intellectual disabilities Facing obstacles in obtaining a fair and equitable education. In Latin America and the Caribbean, only 16% of countries have comprehensive education laws, while 42% still encourage segregation.
Paraguay is at the forefront with Unified schools (USA) and Unified Champions Schools (UCS) programs. Supported by Special Olympics – a global movement that seeks to end discrimination against people with intellectual and developmental disabilities – these centers provide opportunities for young people, both with and without intellectual disabilities, to learn from each other and build friendships that transcend differences through athletic competitions. Clubs and activities in which the entire school community participates.
In April 2024, Paraguay became the first country in South America to join the organization Special Olympics Global Leadership Alliance for InclusionCommitment to ensuring the provision of comprehensive educational spaces and training of teachers on this subject. This commitment is based on the success of the “Open Schools” program, which provides sports and cultural activities for 11,000 students in 150 schools on weekends, promoting equal educational opportunities. Paraguay aims to expand this program to 200 schools this year, with larger expansion plans in the future.
One notable example of this is what happened in Chaco, where an “Open Schools” program provided activities such as music lessons, which were previously inaccessible to students in resource-limited communities. It is in our local communities that perceptions begin to change and where the shift towards true inclusion occurs.
Schools are also key centers for promoting inclusive sports such as physical education and sports clubs, which promote inclusion and enrich the learning environment. Although sport cannot be underestimated, it is a powerful educational tool that promotes inclusion and changes attitudes.
Hence, the state is working collaboratively with the Ministries of Education and Sports with a shared vision of inclusion, both in the classroom and on the field. This is unprecedented. This collaboration between ministries and Special Olympics has demonstrated the value of sport as a driver of change in our education system, making Paraguay a model of inclusion with global impact. We are working to build a social infrastructure that promotes truly inclusive attitudes, because we know that creating inclusive education systems is often cost-effective and requires only minimal modifications to accommodate all students, according to UNESCO.
We are proud that Latin America is a center of inclusion where change is happening daily, and even more so that Paraguay plays a central role in this movement towards a more inclusive, globally recognized society.
We invite you to support and participate in the Latin American Games in Asuncion, to witness the power and potential of inclusive sport and education that Special Olympics athletes represent. You will witness the inclusion firsthand.
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