World Down Syndrome Day at United Nations Geneva
Congratulations to the advocates who came to Geneva to mark World Down Syndrome Day at the United Nations.
From 20-22 March 2025, advocates attended a number of events at the United Nations in Geneva to mark World Down Syndrome Day.
On 20 March, advocates joined a day of General Discussion on the rights of persons with disabilities to participate in political and public life.
The event was organised by the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), on behalf of the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Giordy Peña, a self-advocate representing Sociedad Peruana de Síndrome Down, spoke in this session.
On 21 March, attendees enjoyed a tour of the Palais des Nations followed by a special celebration organised by the United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG), in collaboration with Down Syndrome International (DSi), European Down Syndrome Association (EDSA) and Association Romande Trisomie 21 (ART 21).
The advocates later joined the afternoon session of the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
During this session, advocates took part in conversations about ways to improve support systems for individuals with Down syndrome and their families.
You can watch a recording of the session here:
A huge Well Done! to the self-advocates who spoke in this session:
Mia Johansen, Down Syndrome Norway
Mia Johansen shared her experience of support systems in Norway and how they relate to the CRPD.
Giordy Peña, Sociedad Peruana de Síndrome Down
Giordy Peña shared his experience of support systems in Peru and recommendations for how the government can improve them.
Alexandre Ott, ART 21 – Association Romande Trisomie 21
Alexandre Ott shared his experiences of using support systems in Switzerland.
This session was linked to the World Down Syndrome Day 2025 theme, Improve Our Support Systems.
14th World Down Syndrome Day Conference, New York
Please note, these activities are not to be confused with the World Down Syndrome Day Conference which will took place at the United Nations headquarters in New York.
To learn more about the Conference, please visit the Conference page:
Learn more about World Down Syndrome Day:
World Down Syndrome Day.
On 21 March each year, we speak up about the things that matter to people with Down syndrome around the world.