What is World Down Syndrome Day?
World Down Syndrome Day is on 21 March every year. It is a global awareness day which has been officially observed by the United Nations since 2012. The goal is to help people understand and support those with Down syndrome better.
The date being the 21st day of the 3rd month was chosen to represent the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome which causes Down syndrome.#WorldDownSyndromeDay
Why mark WDSD?
On this one day we have a chance to make a change. A better chance than any other day! Sign up today to speak up alongside supporters from around the world.
And a change is needed more than you know…An Sign up today!All around the world, people with Down syndrome are treated badly…
They are denied a quality education.
They are denied good health care.
They are denied the chance to work and earn their own money.
They are not allowed to make decisions about their own lives.
Their voices are not heard!
So, on 21 March we create a single global voice advocating for the rights, inclusion and well being of people with Down syndrome.
When the global Down syndrome community speaks up together, we are much louder!
Find out how you can get involved:
Take action!World Down Syndrome Day themes.
Each year, Down Syndrome International develops a theme for World Down Syndrome Day. The theme forms the basis of a global campaign. The Down syndrome community raise their voices together to take steps towards full inclusion for people with Down syndrome everywhere.
2023 – With Us Not For Us
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2022 – Inclusion means
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Previous themes:
2020 – We Decide 2019 – Leave No One Behind 2018 – What I bring to my community 2017 – My Voice My Community 2016 – My Friends, My Community 2015 – My Opportunities, My Choices 2014 – Health and Wellbeing – Access and Equality for All 2013 – Right to Work 2012 – Building Our Future
History of WDSD
Down Syndrome Association Singapore launched and hosted the WDSD website from 2006-2010, on behalf of Down Syndrome International (DSi), for global activities to be recorded.
The Brazilian Federation of Associations of Down Syndrome worked with the Down Syndrome International network to launch an extensive campaign to generate international support.
Following the joint work of Brazil and Poland, the resolution was adopted by consensus during the plenary meeting of the Third Committee of the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday 10 November 2011.
Down syndrome groups and associations around the world campaigned for their governments to co-sponsor the resolution. The resolution was eventually co-sponsored by 78 UN Member States.
In addition, Down Syndrome International launched an international petition for the adoption of World Down Syndrome Day by the UN. This received more than 12,000 signatures in a 2 week period and was presented to the Chair of the Third Committee.
On 19 December 2011, the United Nations General Assembly declared 21 March as World Down Syndrome Day.
See the UN page for World Down Syndrome DayThe General Assembly decided, with effect from 2012, to observe World Down Syndrome Day on 21 March each year, and invites all Member States, relevant organizations of the United Nations system and other international organizations, as well as civil society, including non-governmental organizations and the private sector, to observe World Down Syndrome Day in an appropriate manner, in order to raise public awareness of Down syndrome.
Down Syndrome International would like to thank everyone who supported this campaign, with particular thanks to the Government of Brazil, the Brazilian Federation of Associations of Down Syndrome, all of our member organisations who appealed to their governments for support, and to everyone who signed our international petition.
Sign up to hear from the World Down Syndrome Day team about how you can get involved.
You will also get access to our FREE resources including guides for advocacy, schools and organisations, posters, templates and lots more to help you to mark this important day. Together we will create a single global voice advocating for the rights, inclusion and well being of people with Down syndrome.
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