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World Down Syndrome Day, celebrated on the 21st of March of each year, is a good occasion for persons with Down syndrome around the world to make a statement and demand equal rights and opportunities.
The World Down Syndrome Day website was therefore created in order to promote the events marking the celebration, such as concerts, conferences, flash mobs or discussion forums.
In Brussels, a flash-mob, organized in order to raise awareness, met in front of the European Parliament at 11 am. Participants created the number 21 and joined the global celebration, while volunteers handed out leaflets and flowers to passers-by. These activities were followed by a press conference, held at the European Parliament.
The 21 of March was celebrated in New York as well, where Down Syndrome International organised the 3rd World Down Syndrome Day conference, at the premises of the United Nations. Themed ‘Health and Wellbeing – Access and Equality for All‘, the conference focused on access to healthcare for people with Down syndrome. Unfortunately, it happens too often that doctors and healthcare professionals fail to diagnose people with Down syndrome correctly due to miscommunications. At the same time, people with Down syndrome are frequently left out from the set-up of medical treatment plans, and many of them experience difficulties because of the lack of interest shown by healthcare professionals. It was therefore vital for decision-makers, health care experts and representatives of organisations of people with Down syndrome to meet and discuss the best ways to improve the current situation.
The campaign’s video, featuring persons with Down syndrome from 50 different countries demanding the right to accessible healthcare went viral in support of the cause, while the symbol of the World Down Syndrome Day were long colourful socks.
Find out more about the celebration that took place on the World Down Syndrome Day across Europe!
