UNESCO and Special Olympics East Asia have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding aimed at expanding inclusion for young people with disabilities, especially those with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The agreement was signed in Beijing by Professor Shahbaz Khan, Director and Representative of UNESCO’s Regional Office for East Asia, and Freda M. Fung, Regional President and Managing Director of Special Olympics East Asia.
The partnership sets out practical areas of joint work, including youth leadership through sport, more accessible participation in city and community life, and stronger digital inclusion.
It also highlights digital skills, safer online participation, media and information literacy, and the idea that athletes can help test and improve inclusive digital tools, including AI-based applications.
UNESCO says the goal is to combine its education mandate with Special Olympics’ experience in community engagement, so inclusion is not just a principle but something that shows up in everyday public life.
