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Message 2025 Global YouthLeadershipSummit Highlights and OutcomesABOUTTHE GYLS#TheFutureBeginsWithUsPARTNERSSCAN HEREThe 2025 Special Olympics Global YouthLeadership Summit (GYLS), held in Turin,Italy, from March 8–10, was fully plannedand led by the Special Olympics GlobalYouth Leadership Council (GYLC)—an eventby youth, for youth. Bringing togetheryoung leaders with and without intellectualdisabilities, the Summit empoweredparticipants to challenge stereotypes andpromote inclusion under the theme "TheFuture Begins with Us." This reporthighlights the event’s impact and what’sahead.75 YOUTH & ADULT LEADERS+20 COUNTRIES & JURISDICTIONSRECAP VIDEOS, ALL YOUTHPROJECTS & MORE#TheFutureBeginsWithUs

The Project Exhibition spotlighted youth-ledinitiatives developed by the delegations,showcasing their innovation andcommitment to creating lasting inclusion intheir schools and communities. Following theSummit, all 16 projects will be launchedglobally.KEYFEATURESIMPACTWHAT’S NEXT?Developed in collaboration with The StevensInitiative, the Pre-Summit Virtual Academyfeatured interactive sessions designed toprepare both youth and mentors—setting thestage for deeper learning and collaboration.Pre-Summit Virtual AcademyYouth & Mentor Learning TracksYouth and Mentor Learning Tracks offeredtailored sessions to help both youth and adultleaders build their skills, ensuring meaningfulgrowth for all participants. Every session wasplanned and led by the GYLC.Opening CeremonyThe Opening Ceremony, hosted by the GYLC,featured an energizing keynote from TimShriver and inspiring remarks from notablespeakers, uniting participants around a sharedvision for leadership and change. Featuredspeakers included:JohnKloostermanUnited AirlinesDr. Patti HillLions ClubsInternationalFoundation Florence BauerUnited NationsPopulationFund (UNFPA)11 Unified Champion School Projects3 Health & Fitness Projects 2 Community Advocacy ProjectsExpected ImpactReaching nearly 50 Unified ChampionSchoolsEngaging over 1,900 young people,athletes, & community membersGenerating more than 4,700 socialmedia impressions100% rated the summit experience asgood or excellent93% improved their inclusiveleadership skills97% saw themselves as global citizens92% believe in inclusive and meaningfulpeer-driven solutions“Being together with other youth leaders andreflecting on our shared ideas and passionsinspired me to take bigger steps andimprove as a leader.”Youth LeaderSpecial Olympics North America“I will never forget this experience. It was lifechanging.”Adult Mentor Special Olympics East Asia

The Project Exhibition spotlighted youth-ledinitiatives developed by the delegations,showcasing their innovation andcommitment to creating lasting inclusion intheir schools and communities. Following theSummit, all 16 projects will be launchedglobally.KEYFEATURESIMPACTWHAT’S NEXT?Developed in collaboration with The StevensInitiative, the Pre-Summit Virtual Academyfeatured interactive sessions designed toprepare both youth and mentors—setting thestage for deeper learning and collaboration.Pre-Summit Virtual AcademyYouth & Mentor Learning TracksYouth and Mentor Learning Tracks offeredtailored sessions to help both youth and adultleaders build their skills, ensuring meaningfulgrowth for all participants. Every session wasplanned and led by the GYLC.Opening CeremonyThe Opening Ceremony, hosted by the GYLC,featured an energizing keynote from TimShriver and inspiring remarks from notablespeakers, uniting participants around a sharedvision for leadership and change. Featuredspeakers included:JohnKloostermanUnited AirlinesDr. Patti HillLions ClubsInternationalFoundation Florence BauerUnited NationsPopulationFund (UNFPA)11 Unified Champion School Projects3 Health & Fitness Projects 2 Community Advocacy ProjectsExpected ImpactReaching nearly 50 Unified ChampionSchoolsEngaging over 1,900 young people,athletes, & community membersGenerating more than 4,700 socialmedia impressions100% rated the summit experience asgood or excellent93% improved their inclusiveleadership skills97% saw themselves as global citizens92% believe in inclusive and meaningfulpeer-driven solutions“Being together with other youth leaders andreflecting on our shared ideas and passionsinspired me to take bigger steps andimprove as a leader.”Youth LeaderSpecial Olympics North America“I will never forget this experience. It was lifechanging.”Adult Mentor Special Olympics East Asia

The Project Exhibition spotlighted youth-ledinitiatives developed by the delegations,showcasing their innovation andcommitment to creating lasting inclusion intheir schools and communities. Following theSummit, all 16 projects will be launchedglobally.KEYFEATURESIMPACTWHAT’S NEXT?Developed in collaboration with The StevensInitiative, the Pre-Summit Virtual Academyfeatured interactive sessions designed toprepare both youth and mentors—setting thestage for deeper learning and collaboration.Pre-Summit Virtual AcademyYouth & Mentor Learning TracksYouth and Mentor Learning Tracks offeredtailored sessions to help both youth and adultleaders build their skills, ensuring meaningfulgrowth for all participants. Every session wasplanned and led by the GYLC.Opening CeremonyThe Opening Ceremony, hosted by the GYLC,featured an energizing keynote from TimShriver and inspiring remarks from notablespeakers, uniting participants around a sharedvision for leadership and change. Featuredspeakers included:JohnKloostermanUnited AirlinesDr. Patti HillLions ClubsInternationalFoundation Florence BauerUnited NationsPopulationFund (UNFPA)11 Unified Champion School Projects3 Health & Fitness Projects 2 Community Advocacy ProjectsExpected ImpactReaching nearly 50 Unified ChampionSchoolsEngaging over 1,900 young people,athletes, & community membersGenerating more than 4,700 socialmedia impressions100% rated the summit experience asgood or excellent93% improved their inclusiveleadership skills97% saw themselves as global citizens92% believe in inclusive and meaningfulpeer-driven solutions“Being together with other youth leaders andreflecting on our shared ideas and passionsinspired me to take bigger steps andimprove as a leader.”Youth LeaderSpecial Olympics North America“I will never forget this experience. It was lifechanging.”Adult Mentor Special Olympics East Asia

2025 Global YouthLeadershipSummit Highlights and OutcomesABOUTTHE GYLS#TheFutureBeginsWithUsPARTNERSSCAN HEREThe 2025 Special Olympics Global YouthLeadership Summit (GYLS), held in Turin,Italy, from March 8–10, was fully plannedand led by the Special Olympics GlobalYouth Leadership Council (GYLC)—an eventby youth, for youth. Bringing togetheryoung leaders with and without intellectualdisabilities, the Summit empoweredparticipants to challenge stereotypes andpromote inclusion under the theme "TheFuture Begins with Us." This reporthighlights the event’s impact and what’sahead.75 YOUTH & ADULT LEADERS+20 COUNTRIES & JURISDICTIONSRECAP VIDEOS, ALL YOUTHPROJECTS & MORE#TheFutureBeginsWithUs

2025 Global YouthLeadershipSummit Highlights and OutcomesABOUTTHE GYLS#TheFutureBeginsWithUsPARTNERSSCAN HEREThe 2025 Special Olympics Global YouthLeadership Summit (GYLS), held in Turin,Italy, from March 8–10, was fully plannedand led by the Special Olympics GlobalYouth Leadership Council (GYLC)—an eventby youth, for youth. Bringing togetheryoung leaders with and without intellectualdisabilities, the Summit empoweredparticipants to challenge stereotypes andpromote inclusion under the theme "TheFuture Begins with Us." This reporthighlights the event’s impact and what’sahead.75 YOUTH & ADULT LEADERS+20 COUNTRIES & JURISDICTIONSRECAP VIDEOS, ALL YOUTHPROJECTS & MORE#TheFutureBeginsWithUs