World Down Syndrome Day 2025: From Projects to Policies – Including People with Down Syndrome in Europe

Brussels, Belgium — On March 19, 2025, EU for Trisomy 21 invited by various Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), will host a major event in the European Parliament to mark World Down Syndrome Day. This year’s theme, “From Projects to Policies: Including People with Down Syndrome in Europe,” aims to foster a more inclusive Europe for individuals with Down syndrome where their opinions are taken into the European policy debates.

As part of broader efforts to raise awareness and engage local communities, this event will serve as a key milestone in the European Self Advocacy Project, an Erasmus+ sponsored initiative dedicated to empowering individuals with Down syndrome and intellectual disabilities.

Coffee & Socks

The day will kick off at 09:30 AM with a special coffee service, where waiters with Down Syndrome will showcase their professional skills as servers for the day in the official coffee places of the European Parliament. They will be working in the Forum Bar (VoxBox bar) and Hemicycle bar (Mickey Mouse Cafe) in the European Parliament. This collaboration provides a platform for people with Down syndrome to demonstrate their professional abilities to European legislators, highlighting the importance of employment opportunities and the contributions individuals with Down syndrome bring to the workforce.

MEPs will also have the chance to visit an information stand to take a picture showing their support to World Down Syndrome Day, wearing mismatched socks, raising awareness on how people with Down Syndrome may be different but still they enrich our society.

At 11:45 AM, the event will officially open with a brief ceremony with our host MEP Miriam Lexmann who invited various other Members of the European Parliament to participate, engage with self-advocates and partner organizations, and show their support for the cause.

The afternoon will be dedicated to a conference starting at 2:00 PM in Room ASP 1H1, focusing on key issues such as equality, health, employment, and self-advocacy for people with Down syndrome. The conference will bring together policymakers, researchers, healthcare professionals, and self-advocates to discuss successful projects, research, and future EU policies that promote full inclusion, autonomy, and opportunities for people with Down syndrome.

Conference: From Projects to Policies

The conference will be co-hosted by MEPs Romana Jerkovic and Paolo Inselvini.

• Opening words: Paolo Inselvini, Member of the European Parliament

The first part of the conference will be co- hosted by Antonio Rosique and EDSA Self-Advocate Ivan Kos from Croatia.

• “Including the voices of people with down syndrome in the European Society
  • European Self-Advocates: Fiona Lambart Self-advocate and Katrina Lambart from BVDS & EU for Trisomy 21
  • “Valueable” Project: Dinka Vukovic – president of European Down Syndrome Association

• Inclusion in the EU: Katrin Langensiepen – MEP Co-Chair of the Intergroup on Disabilities(TBC)
• Q&A and short break

The second part of the conference will be hosted by Marie-Claude Potier, President of Trisomy 21 Research Society

• Research improving lives of people with Down Syndrome in Europe
  • Respire 21 Project: Pr MD Brigitte Fauroux, Necker Hospital for children
  • ICOD project: Pier Vincenzo Piazza, CEO Aelis Farma

• From projects to policy in the European Union
  • Guillaume Duriez, Director of the Medical Insitut Jérôme Lejeune
  • Romana Jerkovic, MEP Vice-Chair of Public Health subcommittee

• Conclusion: José Gutiérrez, Vice-president of European Down Syndrome Association
• Q&A

The event will conclude with a dynamic Q&A session, offering attendees the chance to engage directly with speakers and discuss the critical steps needed to move from successful individual projects to coherent, systematic, and serious public policies that ensure people with Down syndrome are fully included as equal citizens in Europe.

What:
World Down Syndrome Day Celebration – “From Projects to Policies: Including People with Down Syndrome in Europe”

When:
March 19, 2025
Coffee Service: 09:30 AM
Ceremony: 12:30 PM
Conference: 14:00 PM

Where:
European Parliament, Brussels, Belgium
Forum Bar and Hemicycle bar 
Room ASP 1H1

Apply here to attend the meeting. Please fill out the form so we can organise the entrance to the European Parliament for you.

This event will emphasize the need for the European Union to move from supporting individual projects to implementing comprehensive, long-term policies that have a profound impact on the lives of people with Down syndrome. The focus will be on ensuring equal opportunities, full inclusion in healthcare, political participation, and employment, and fostering accessible environments for people with Down syndrome. It will highlight the valuable contributions of people with Down syndrome and stress the critical role the EU must play in fostering a more inclusive Europe through systematic and effective policies.

Taking place as part of a 30-day online awareness campaign leading up to World Down Syndrome Day, this event further reinforces the visibility and impact of the European Self Advocacy Project across Europe. Through media outreach, online advocacy, and local engagements, the campaign highlights the need to move beyond isolated initiatives and toward long-term policies that promote full inclusion and equal opportunities for people with Down syndrome in employment, healthcare, and political participation.

About World Down Syndrome Day

World Down Syndrome Day, observed annually on March 21, is a global event to raise awareness about Down syndrome and promote the inclusion of individuals with Down syndrome in all aspects of society. The celebration advocates for equal rights, healthcare, and opportunities for people with Down syndrome, while encouraging greater understanding and inclusion.

For media inquiries or additional information, please contact: contact@eufortrisomy21.eu

If you want to attend the event, please fill out this form so we can organise your entry into the European Parliament. Deadline 11th of March.