26th IACP Conference – Estonia 2009

ManagingManaging DirectorDirector SpecialSpecial Olympics Europe Eurasia Olympics Europe EurasiaMary DavisMary Davis

• Sports Training & Competition programme for people with an intellectual disability

• Year Round programme• All abilities

The Differences Between Special Olympics and the Paralympics

•Sport and Competition ‘For All’

•Focus on Inclusion for Learning Disabled People

•Community Integration

•Community Empowerment•Accredited but Independent National Programmes

•Elite Sport

•Physical Disability focus

•INAS Sports System

•Membership Organisation

Special Olympics Paralympics

Life Changing

Impact

Champion

Inclusion

Pride

Quality health

care

Empowerment

Diminished

value

Exclusion

Worthless

Poor health care

Pity

Special Olympics Global Reach

7 Global Regions200 Local Programs

165 Countries750,000 Coaches and Volunteers

2,500,000 Athletes

Delivering the Special

Olympics message

worldwide!

Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia consists of:

• 500,000 athletes• 58 National Programmes• 30 Sports• 60,000 volunteers• 21,000 families

Special Olympics European Reach

• Build leadership and capacity

• Generate Awareness

• Raise funds

Goal

SPECIAL OLYMPICS DVD

Jeremy AdamsInspector

Western EuropeanTorch Run Co-ordinator

&PSNI Torch Run Committee

Universal Torch Run ObjectivesUniversal Torch Run Objectives•Guardians of the ‘Flame of Hope’•Raise Awareness of Special Olympics•Raise Funds for Special Olympics

1981 –, Kansas USA (6 runners, 5 Miles)1983 – IACP adopted Torch Run1987 – First international runs held in

Ontario, Canada and Jamaica Torch Run for World Games (Winter &

Summer), Regional Games & National Games

Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao

Antiqua, Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Dominica, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, US Virgin Islands

Denotes a Special Olympics program in that country.

Region IX West EuropeRegion X East Europe

Andorra Austria Belgium Denmark Estonia Faroe Islands Finland France Germany Gibraltar Great Britain Greece Iceland

Ireland Isle of Man Italy Liecheinstein Luxembourg Malta Monaco Netherlands Norway Portugal San Marino Spain Sweden Switzerland

Region IX – West Europe

Albania Armenia Azerbaijan Belarus Bosnia and Herzegovina Bulgaria Croatia Cyprus Czech Republic Georgia Hungary Israel Kazakhstan Kosovo

Kyrgyzh Republic Latvia Lithuania Macedonia Moldova Poland Romania Russia Serbia and Montenegro Slovakia Slovenia Tajikistan Turkey Turkmenistan Ukraine Uzbekistan  

Region X – Eastern Europe

Today•50 States in USA•12 Canadian provinces and territories•35 Countries•Euro 34 million in 2008•85,000 officers

Want to join the Torch Run family?Want to join the Torch Run family? Get support from Chief Officer Contact Regional Coordinator Establish Special Olympics link Support from other European programmes First Torch Run event

TORCH RUN DVD

Peter LoughinsSuperintendent

The Irish ExperienceThe Irish Experience

Law Enforcement Torch Run – Ireland•PSNI Committee Formed in 2003 following World Games

•In partnership with An Garda Siochana

•Chaired by Senior Officers

•Assistant Chief Constable Duncan McCausland PSNI

•Deputy Commissioner Nacie Rice An Garda Siochana

•Registered Charity

•Committee Representative of All Police Department/Districts

•Network of District representatives

•Uniforms promote Torch Run and Special Olympics

• How did we get to where we are today?

◦Formed committee◦Torch Runs◦SOLE Lesson in Police College◦Representatives in every police district◦Communication through service◦Support and involvement from police chief◦SUPPORT FROM SPECIAL OLYMPICSSUPPORT FROM SPECIAL OLYMPICS

• Exclusive to the police services throughout the world in countries with a Special Olympics programme;• Unique in the world with two police forces cooperating in support of Special Olympics on the island of Ireland;• Garda and Police Service of Northern Ireland

PSNI & Garda Torch Run Programme

Special Olympics Law Enforcement (SOLE)• Programme launched Belfast September 05• Tripartite partnership between PSNI, Garda & Special Olympics Ireland;• Focus on Vulnerable Persons & Police through vehicle of Intellectual Disabilities;• Co-presented by Special Athletes;

SOLE contd...•Programme received by 5500 Student Officers throughout Ireland• Presented to International Law Enforcement Conference Minneapolis, Minnesota 2005;•Recognised 2006 for Special Award by Police Learning Advisory Council (NI).

ORGANISATIONAL BENEFITS•Emphasises the PSNI Commitment to working with vulnerable person.

•Not only engagement with athletes but with family and friends.

•Has assisted PSNI in getting access to hard to reach areas.

•Has assisted in PSNI gaining greater acceptance in hard to reach areas

•Greater Political acceptance of PSNI

Fund Raising Initiatives • Polar Plunge

•Gala Balls

•Canoe Challenge

•24 Hour Fitness Challenge

•Golf Event

•Police College charity

Awareness Raising•Torch Runs For National and International Games

•Final Leg Torch Runs for World Games

•Belfast Marathon Relay

•Lord Mayors Show

•Involvement in Local Special Olympics Clubs

•Newforge Taggers

ManagingManaging Director Director SpecialSpecial Olympics Europe Eurasia Olympics Europe EurasiaMary DavisMary Davis

September 1st European Torch Run

September 10th Final Leg Warsaw

September 17th Opening Ceremony Warsaw

SO programmes who have expressed SO programmes who have expressed interestinterest

Turkey Great Britain

France Italy

Portugal Croatia

Romania Gibraltar

Kyrgyz Republic Poland

Mary DavisMary DavisManagingManaging Director Director SpecialSpecial Olympics Europe/ Eurasia Olympics Europe/ Eurasia

mdavis@specimdavis@specialalolympics.orgolympics.org

Jeremy AdamsJeremy AdamsWestern Europe Torch Run Co-ordinatorWestern Europe Torch Run Co-ordinator

torchrun@psni.pnn.police.uktorchrun@psni.pnn.police.uk

Peter LoughinsPeter LoughinsPSNI Torch RunPSNI Torch Run

peter.loughins@psni.pnn.police.ukpeter.loughins@psni.pnn.police.uk

Make it happen !