Uniting for Inclusion: Leos Lead with Purpose at the Global Youth Leadership Summit
By Kaitlyn Hamrick, Senior Director of Global Youth Leadership, Special Olympics International
In March, something extraordinary happened in Turin, Italy.
As the world gathered for the Special Olympics World Winter Games, nearly 100 young changemakers from over 20 countries came together for a different kind of summit—one not defined by competition, but by connection, collaboration, and a shared commitment to inclusion.
These were the participants of the 2025 Special Olympics Global Youth Leadership Summit. Among them stood Leos from across the globe—young leaders who brought their passion for service and belief in a better world to the heart of our movement. Together with youth leaders from Special Olympics, they spent three powerful days building skills, exchanging ideas, and launching projects that will drive lasting change in their communities.
The partnership between Special Olympics and Lions Clubs International Foundation has always been rooted in shared values—dignity, inclusion, and the power of service. But when Leos and Special Olympics youth come together, something even greater unfolds. They don’t just talk about change—they create it.
Wilson, a Leo youth leader from Uganda, shared a story that captured why this partnership matters so deeply. Growing up, he saw people with disabilities pushed to the margins of society—treated as outcasts, overlooked, and underestimated.
“I wanted to be part of the movement that changes that,” he said.
And now, he is. Alongside peers from around the world—with and without intellectual disabilities—Wilson and his fellow Leos are helping to lead a global movement grounded in empathy, action, and belonging.
As someone who oversees Special Olympics’ global youth leadership work, I’ve seen firsthand the transformative power of this partnership. Leos bring energy, heart, and a readiness to lead—not just within their own clubs, but on a global stage. At the Summit, they didn’t just participate—they inspired. They helped shape the conversations, co-design the projects, and form bonds that will continue to grow long after Turin.
This is what happens when two global movements unite around a common purpose. We raise up young people as leaders. We break down stereotypes. We build a future where inclusion is not a side project—it’s the foundation.
The Summit may be behind us—but the momentum is only growing. Together, through Mission: Inclusion, we’re not just imagining a more inclusive world—we’re building it, one young leader at a time.
About Mission: Inclusion
The Special Olympics–Lions Clubs International Foundation Mission: Inclusion platform offers a holistic inclusion-through-service approach that empowers individuals with intellectual disabilities to achieve their best, both on and off the field of play. This happens through the direct support and engagement of Lions Clubs and Leo volunteers worldwide. With initiatives ranging from vision care screenings and inclusive sports to refugee support and early childhood development, Mission: Inclusion stands as one of the most transformative models of change in the history of Special Olympics—and in the global movement to support individuals with intellectual disabilities.
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