You are currently viewing A message from  Bridget Snedden, President, Down Syndrome International

A message from Bridget Snedden, President, Down Syndrome International

KARACHI: Bridget Snedden, the incumbent President of Down Syndrome International (DSi), remained a Trustee of the organisation since 2008 and in recent years filled the role of Vice-President.

Reflecting on some of the DSi’s achievements last year she stated:

“The past year has been full of activity for DSi and we are excited at the new direction we are taking.

There has been lots of research and consultation going on behind the scenes and we have great plans for the years ahead.

I would like to reflect on some of our achievements in 2022…

Education

This year we completed our Inclusive Education pilot study in the United Kingdom.

The study explored how the existing education system includes children with additional needs and all children.

We have produced lots of accompanying resources that we look forward to sharing with you in 2023.

Employment

Our employment work this year has been focused in 4 countries – Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, and Uganda.

Our team has worked with the national Down syndrome organisations and their self-advocacy groups to conduct interviews, focus groups, and surveys and to carry out employment advocacy activities, speaking up about their right to employment, to key stakeholders in their country.

Research reports about the barriers and good practices in the inclusive employment of people with intellectual disabilities will be launched in January 2023.

Health

We are delighted to report that our expert consensus document on cardiac disease in Down syndrome has been accepted for publication in “Circulation”, an internationally acclaimed cardiac journal. Next year we will be sharing key findings with stakeholders around the world.

Inclusive organizations

In June we launched the new ‘Listen Include Respect’ guideline website at the UN Conference of State Parties, in New York.

We are currently working with self-advocates to develop online training to accompany the guidelines. This is a joint project with Inclusion International.

We have chosen to lead by example by completing a review of how inclusive DSi is of people with Down syndrome.

We are using this review to make a plan to improve our inclusive practice, which will be reviewed and updated each year.

Organizational capacity

We have been working with Rwanda Down Syndrome Organisation to create a fundraising strategy.

Program strategy

We are developing a new strategy for DSi. Following lots of consultations with DSi Staff, Board, Member Organizations, and Ambassadors we have created a theory of change for our work. In 2023 we will create a strategic framework, with an annual plan to be launched in April 2023.

Self-advocacy

We have worked with our team of Ambassadors to carry out research into the current situation with self-advocacy in their countries.

The research will help us make a plan for how we can promote self-advocacy around the world.

In 2023 we are going to develop a new online self-advocacy training, then work to create opportunities for self-advocacy groups around the world to meet and share ideas and experiences.

World Down Syndrome Congress

We are all looking forward to the next World Down Syndrome Congress which will be hosted by Down Syndrome Australia in Brisbane in 2024. We are confident it is going to be a brilliant example of an inclusive and engaging event.

World Down Syndrome Day

For World Down Syndrome Day 2022 we asked our global community “What does Inclusion Mean?” We ran 8 virtual events for WDSD, including a side event to the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and a virtual UN Conference.

It has been a joy to be able to connect in person with many members of our global community once again. We very much hope that this continues in the years to come.

On behalf of the DSi Board and Staff, we wish you all a safe and peaceful holiday season and hope that you have an opportunity to spend time with the people who matter the most in your life.”

Bridget Snedden, President, Down Syndrome International

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M M Alam

M. M. Alam is a Pakistan-based working journalist since 1981. Karachi University faculty gold medalist Alam began his career four decades ago by writing for Dawn, Pakistan’s highest circulating English daily. He has worked for region’s leading publications, global aviation periodicals including Rotors (of USA) and vetted New York Times as permanent employee of daily Express Tribune. Alam regularly covers international aviation and defense-related events including Salon Du Bourget (France), Farnborough (United Kingdom), Dubai (UAE). Alam has reported thousands of events and interviewed hundreds of people in Pakistan, UAE, EU, UK and USA. Being Francophone Alam also coordinates with a number of French publications.