Why I Like Youth Summits

Hello,

My name is Anna Dimitrova, I am 18 and I live in Bulgaria. I was first introduced to Youth Summits two years ago. And now, a week has past since I returned from Boise, Idaho (USA) where I participated in the first Assembly of the Global Youth Activation Summit.  

The purpose of a Special Olympics Youth Summit is to bring together 10-20 youth pairs, ranging from ages 12 to 17. Each pair is composed of one Special Olympics athlete and one partner without an intellectual disability who, together, serve as delegates representing their school, community, state/province or nation.  During the World Winter Special Olympics Games 2009 (Feb. 6-13) in the otherwise very small Boise, I felt that the cause of Special Olympics has become a movement, supported by millions of people. In those days, 2,000 athletes, 5,000 volunteers, 1000 students and many fans united through sports, experienced the joy of winning and playing together.

The Bulgarian Summit delegation consisted of Tonqa, Bocce athlete, Reni, Special Olympics Bulgaria coordinator and myself, being Tonqa`s partner and translator. We contributed to this Summit by actively participating in discussions, organized activities and most importantly by being at the first Assembly of this Global Youth Activation Summit. As a result many people became interested in our country and started asking questions about it and its contribution to Special Olympics.

I will remember this experience for many reasons: the story about the 60,000 scarves knitted for the event by volunteers throughout the whole world, the sight of the city of Boise full of volunteers, the moment of waving to Joe Biden, vice president of the U.S.A., the joy in Tonqa`s eyes throughout our stay there and the tears of happiness in the eyes of our small champions.  Everyone should experience an event like this, because that is the only atmosphere in which you can feel the power of people`s spirit and find your calling in life.

Photo: Members of the European group at the Youth Forum: Russia, Poland,Bulgaria. (Courtesy of Anna Dimitrova)

Anna Dimitrova