For Immediate Release
Prince Albert II of Monaco Presides Over European Business Leaders Forum For SOEE
Forum Maps out Strategy for Special Olympics to Reach More Children & Adults with Intellectual Disabilities across Europe and Central Asia
How can Special Olympics overcome financial hurdles to reach more children and adults with intellectual disabilities in Europe and Central Asia, was the main topic for discuss at a business leaders forum in Monaco on Friday, February 5th hosted under the honouree Presidency and presence of H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco, and which brought together some of Europe’s leading entrepreneurs and philanthropists all actively involved in the Special Olympics movement.
The Forum organised by Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia, represents the first step towards establishing a region-wide Council of Patrons that would meet biannually with the responsibility of supporting the growth of Special Olympics across 58 countries in Europe and Central Asia.
Monaco was a significant setting to the inaugural SOEE Forum as it took place almost ten years to the day when in May 2000, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Founder of Special Olympics, received the Laureus Sport for Good Award presented to her by Prince Albert in Monaco.
“The Special Olympics movement promotes the message that ‘anything is possible if you have hope’” said Prince Albert at the SOEE Forum. “It instils a sense of hope in everyone it comes into contact with and helps replace the stigma and rejection that people with an intellectual disability face, with an emphasis on potential, ability and acceptance. I’m confident that with the talent and resources we have gathered here today we can build on this hope and I’m excited about the possibilities and opportunities ahead”.
The intimate Forum heard from Irish telecommunications and media entrepreneur Mr Denis O’Brien, Chairman of the organisational committee of the 2003 World Summer Games hosted in Dublin, Ireland, who stressed the importance of transferring the values of entrepreneurship to Special Olympics national programmes to gain financial sustainability.
Building on the Special Olympics Global Football Initiative was also a topic of discussion as Serie A Champions Inter Milan F.C., UK Premier League club Tottenham Hotspurs and the Republic of Ireland Senior International team, have all signed up to generate greater public awareness, acceptance and respect for people with intellectual disabilities.
Poland’s leading entrepreneur Mr Zbigniew Niemczycki, Chairman and Owner of Curtis International, informed the Forum of Warsaw’s progress in getting ready to host the 2010 Special Olympics European Games from September 18 – 24.
Former first lady of the Republic of Poland and Founder and President of the “Communication without Barriers” Foundation, Mrs. Jolanta Kwaśniewska, also participated in the Forum as well as the Honorary Chair of Special Olympics Turkey, Ms Dilek Sabanci, a member of the Turkish dynasty, Sabanci Holdings, Mr Massimo Redaelli, Founder of Prima Management, Europe’s premier talent, media and events company, Mr Christian Calmes, President of the Monaco AutoClub Sports Commission and Italian bass-baritone opera singer Mr Ruggero Raimondi.
Speaking at the Forum, Mary Davis, Managing Director of Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia said “There are 26.5 million people with an intellectual disability in Europe and Central Asia so there is huge potential for Special Olympics to empower a neglected population while changing attitudes, fostering community building, providing healthcare and influencing policy.
“This takes time and resources and we are seeking the help of Europe’s most influential to help us build on our vision for this region so that each person has the opportunity to reach their full potential, to be accepted and become a vibrant member of their community” added Mary Davis.
Mary Davis also expressed her gratitude to Mireille Calmes, President of Special Olympics Monaco and to Oliver Sodeik, Managing Director of Monaco’s WHY Communications and Consulting Network, for helping to make the Forum a possibility.
ENDS