World Down Syndrome Congress

We are committed to organising the World Down Syndrome Congress (WDSC) in different locations around the world every 3 years.

The WDSC is an unmatched opportunity for people with Down syndrome, families, advocates, professionals and researchers to meet, and share knowledge, insight and experience with others from different countries and environments around the world. Those who attend once rarely miss it again!

We are very grateful to our national hosts, who put in a huge amount of work to make WDSC happen.

In July 2018 Down’s Syndrome Scotland hosted the 13th World Down Syndrome Congress.

It was a fantastic event with over 100 sessions taking place over three days, there were also fantastic plenary speakers and social events enjoyed by over 1,400 delegates from around the world.

You can view the presentations from the event on the Down's Syndrome Scotland website:

Down's Syndrome Scotland website

In November 2021, Emirates Down Syndrome Association hosted the 14th World Down Syndrome Congress in Dubai.

Visit WDSC 2021 website

Down Syndrome Australia invites you to the 15th World Down Syndrome Congress in Brisbane, in July 2024!

Visit WDSC 2024 website

After 2024...

We are currently reviewing when and where the next WDSC will take place. Watch this space!

Latest

Our strategy

This is our plan of how we will make the world better.
WDSC 2024 - Call for presentations

The congress team welcomes people with Down syndrome, academics, practitioners, family members and support people to submit a summary of what they would like to present at the event.
New strategy in progress

DSi is working on a new strategy for our organisation. This is essential to make sure we have a clear vision and plan for the next few years.
Training self-advocate consultants on inclusive organisations

We are training a new group of self-advocates with Down syndrome and intellectual disabilities, to become consultants on inclusive organisations.

World Down Syndrome Day

21 March is World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD), the day that the Down syndrome community creates a single global voice advocating for the rights, inclusion and well being of people with Down syndrome.
Inclusive organisations

We advocate for organisations to include people with disabilities in everything they do.
Inclusive health

We advocate for everyone to have the right to enjoy the highest attainable standard of health, without discrimination.
Inclusive employment

We are working with our global network of member organisations to advocate for inclusive employment.
Inclusive education

We advocate for every child to have access to inclusive and equitable quality education to enhance their opportunities and quality of life.
Situations of risk and humanitarian action

We work to fight discrimination people with Down syndrome face during situations of risk and humanitarian crises
Self-advocacy

We support self-advocates and train national Down syndrome organisations to run self-advocacy groups.
Organisation support

We provide training to Down syndrome organisations around the world to improve their ability to support people with Down syndrome.
Early development and parent support

We provide training and information to parents and professionals on early development and Down syndrome.
International advocacy

We advocate for the rights of people with Down syndrome and disabilities through international advocacy channels.