PURPOSE: World Down Syndrome Day is observed on 21 March each year in order to raise public awareness of Down syndrome; focus on improving connections to ensure that all people with Down syndrome can CONNECT and participate on an equal basis with others. Individuals with Down syndrome have tremendous untapped potential. On March 21st, the global Down syndrome community creates a single voice advocating for the rights, inclusion, and well-being of people with Down syndrome. We need your support to continue our work improving the lives of people with Down syndrome.

FORUM: "Together Against Loneliness" World Down Syndrome Day 2026. What Everyone Needs to Feel Connected and Belong; Why do we need to talk about loneliness? Everyone feels lonely sometimes. But for many people with Down syndrome and other intellectual disabilities, loneliness is a more common and painful experience. Their families can feel lonely too, and feel cut off from support. Loneliness can feel like different things: – Not having a group of friends or a community to belong to. – Not having a close, special person to share your feelings with. Loneliness is a serious problem. Loneliness is not just a sad feeling. It is bad for our health and happiness. It can make people feel anxious or depressed. It can also harm physical health. A study found that loneliness can be as bad for our health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Loneliness is not a choice. Loneliness happens when people are not supported to build and maintain connections with other people. Sometimes, people with Down syndrome can be in the same room as others but still feel lonely. Being present is not the same as being included. People can feel lonely even when surrounded by others if they are not truly connected. Loneliness is also caused by stigma and discrimination. Loneliness happens when people are left out of schools, workplaces, and community life. A study found that 39% of people with intellectual disabilities often feel lonely, compared to 14% of people without disabilities. Another study reported that people with an intellectual disability were 7 times more likely to be lonely than the general public. But we know the answer… The answer is real inclusion;  It’s about having good friendships and relationships. It’s the feeling of being valued and knowing you belong. This is a problem we can solve, and ‘Together Against Loneliness’ is our call to action. We want to talk about the problem of loneliness and how we help people feel connected and that they belong. To stop loneliness, every person needs. Real inclusion need to be truly included in schools, jobs, and community life. Not just “being there,” but taking part. Welcoming Spaces are important to feel welcome and valued, to be invited to join in, and to be safe from stigma. Meaningful Relationships are important to have strong, supportive, and meaningful relationships with friends, family, and partners. Loneliness is a human rights issue;The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) is about being connected to other people and belonging. Fighting for these rights is a key way we stand ‘Together Against Loneliness’. – Living in the community – Getting married, having relationships and being part of a family – Going to an inclusive school – Having an inclusive job – Taking part in cultural life, sport, and play. Follow the conversation with the hashtags: #TogetherAgainstLoneliness,#21March, #WDSD2026, #WorldDownSyndromeDay.

EVENTS: At the United Nations HQ in New York; The events include the World Down Syndrome Day Conference 2026. Our events give self-advocates the chance to share their expert experience with key decision makers on a global stages Learn more. The High-level event entitled ''We are Together Against Loneliness" to mark the Word Down Syndrome Day 2026 on March 23rd at UNHQ. Watch the PART I - WDSD 2026 Conference and the PART II - WDSD 2026 Conference. Register to participate!

The World Down Syndrome Day is a global awareness day that takes place on 21 March every year. The Day has been officially recognised by the United Nations since 2011. The United Nations have called on governments, UN officials and NGO representatives to work together to improve quality of life for people with Down syndrome and disabilities around the world. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities calls for everyone to have the freedom to make their own choices. But people with Down syndrome often have poor or controlling support. Often their supporters do things For them, not With them.

The ways you can get involved and make a big positive difference