Empowering young people across Asia

At FWD, we don’t just want to empower our staff, we want to help empower the communities we operate in. So in February 2018 we announced our partnership with the Special Olympics, the world’s largest sports organisation for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. We’re now investing US$1,100,000 over three years into two programmes:

Unified Schools

Using workshops and other activities, we’re doing what we can to combat inequality. So far, we’ve helped put on events in over 100 schools across Asia.

Athlete Leadership

We’re working with young athletes who have intellectual disabilities, helping them develop the vocational and life skills they need to live independently. So far, we’ve facilitated the training of over 2,000 athletes (plus over 200 mentors). We’re also working with the Special Olympics to help young people build relationships with employers and find meaningful, paid work.

Not only that but we’re helping create change. Because in 2019 we also supported several Special Olympics athletes at the Abu Dhabi World Games by providing them with travel insurance coverage - a step in the right direction to empower people who otherwise may have difficulties getting to the Games due to limited access to insurance because of pre-existing condition exclusions.