A Global Call to Action from the Special Olympics Youth Leadership Summit

At every Special Olympics World Games, something remarkable happens—a global gathering of young leaders, with and without intellectual disabilities, who come together not just to share their hopes and ideas, but to lead.

The Special Olympics Global Youth Leadership Summit isn’t just a feel-good moment or a one-time celebration of youth voices. It is a launchpad. It is where momentum is built, skills are developed, partnerships are formed, and the work of inclusion accelerates long after the Games are over.

Letter to the Global Community

The Summit may be over, but the movement is just beginning. Tim and Louis, representing the voices of their peers from across more than 20 countries, share what this moment means, and what comes next.

At the 2025 Summit in Turin, Italy, nearly 100 youth leaders and adult mentors from over 20 countries and jurisdictions around the globe united under a single belief: that inclusion is not just an idea for tomorrow—it’s a movement we must live today. They brought their voices, their vision, and their values. Through workshops, shared experiences, and deep connection, they left with something even more powerful: a commitment to action. Explore the full 2025 GYLS report, which includes impact metrics, an overview, and key insights from the Summit.

Special Olympics champions youth because we know real change starts when young people are empowered—when we listen, trust, and invest in their leadership. This Summit is part of a global effort to do just that. It’s not the end of the story; it’s the beginning of what comes next.