JCI Ibadan Elite, Global Partners Mark World Down Syndrome Day, Champion Inclusion

News/Opinion

JCI Ibadan Elite, Global Partners Mark World Down Syndrome Day, Champion Inclusion

Reported by Ibadan Media

The Junior Chamber International (JCI), Ibadan Elite Chapter, in collaboration with Capital Zimbabwe and Manouba Tunisia chapter, has organized a three-day event to commemorate World Down Syndrome Day 2025. This event reinforces the need for awareness, inclusion, and advocacy for individuals with Down syndrome.

Started with a powerful online campaign on March 21, 2025, to dispel myths, promote equal rights, and eliminate the stigma surrounding Down syndrome. The campaign emphasized the importance of inclusion and the need for a society that fully embraces individuals with Down syndrome.

The highlight of the commemoration was a Down Syndrome Symposium, featuring a keynote address by Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal, General Manager of the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs. Distinguished panelists, including Mrs. Rym Blaiech (Tunisia), Miss Diana Balama (Zimbabwe), Mrs. Ekaete Mordi, and Mrs. Adetola Makinde, shared their expertise on various aspects of Down syndrome awareness and advocacy.

In her keynote speech, Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal spoke extensively about the empowerment of individuals with Down syndrome, emphasizing the importance of building confidence and fostering self-advocacy. She highlighted how early intervention, including various therapies, can significantly improve their quality of life. She also called for better-equipped homes and greater access to knowledgeable support networks. She stressed the importance of inclusive education, advocating for individualized education plans (IEPs), well-trained teachers, and the establishment of more inclusive schools to ensure that children with Down syndrome receive the education they deserve.

She also addressed the challenges faced by families, particularly the financial burden of private education and the need for more accessible resources for healthcare access, noting the insufficient number of healthcare providers understanding Down syndrome. She emphasized the importance of community engagement, building support networks among families, and sharing information and resources. She also highlighted the significance of advocacy, both self-advocacy by individuals with Down syndrome and advocacy by families and communities.

The symposium also featured a panel discussion where experts delved into the challenges of raising children with Down syndrome and ensuring their access to quality education, vocational training, and social integration. They examined the difficulties individuals with Down syndrome face in education, stressing the necessity of tailored learning plans, trained educators, and assistive learning tools. They also discussed the damaging effects of negative stereotypes, low societal expectations, bullying, and social isolation, all of which hinder children from thriving in inclusive environments. The importance of early intervention and addressing medical challenges was another key takeaway from the discussion.

The symposium concluded with heartfelt expressions of gratitude to the panelists for their insightful contributions. It underscored the importance of cross-border collaborations among JCI chapters in promoting inclusion and support for individuals with Down syndrome. The event ended with a powerful call to action: spread kindness, champion inclusion, and work towards a better world for all.

To wrap up the commemoration, JCI Ibadan Elite paid a heartfelt visit to a Down Syndrome Home in Bodija, Ibadan. The team spent quality time with the children, engaging in laughter, games, and meaningful interactions. The caregivers expressed deep gratitude for the visit, which reinforced the importance of love, acceptance, and social support.

In a show of solidarity, donations of food items, toiletries, and essential supplies were made to support the home. Beyond the material contributions, the visit served as a reminder of the power of compassion and collective action in making a difference in the lives of individuals with Down syndrome.

The three-day event highlighted the global collaboration of JCI chapters in advocating for Down syndrome awareness and inclusion. The impactful sessions, heartfelt visits, and generous donations all reinforced the mission of creating a more inclusive world.

JCI Ibadan Elite remains committed to advocacy, awareness, and meaningful social impact, ensuring that individuals with Down syndrome are not only seen but also celebrated.