26 th IACP Conference – Estonia 2009

Managing Director Special Olympics Europe Eurasia Mary 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 OlympicsParalympics

Life Changing Impact Champion Inclusion Pride Quality health care Empowerment  Diminished value Exclusion Worthless Poor health care Pity

Special Olympics Global Reach 7Global Regions 200Local Programs 165Countries 750,000Coaches 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 Adams Inspector Western European Torch Run Co-ordinator & PSNI Torch Run Committee

Universal 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 Run 1987 – First international runs held in Ontario, Canada and Jamaica Torch Run for World Games (Winter & Summer), Regional Games & National Games

Region IX West Europe Region 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 ,000 officers

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

Police Service of Northern Ireland Torch Run Committee Peter Loughins Superintendent

The 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 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

Managing Director Special Olympics Europe Eurasia Mary Davis

September 1 st European Torch Run September 10 th Final Leg Warsaw September 17 th Opening Ceremony Warsaw

SO programmes who have expressed interest TurkeyGreat Britain FranceItaly PortugalCroatia RomaniaGibraltar Kyrgyz Republic Poland

Mary Davis Managing Director Special Olympics Europe/ Eurasia Jeremy Adams Western Europe Torch Run Co-ordinator Peter Loughins PSNI Torch Run

Make it happen !