What Is World Down Syndrome Day?

First observed in 2012, World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) is a global awareness day officially observed on the 21st of March each year by the United Nations. The significance of the date is to represent the cause of Down syndrome: triplication (3) of the 21st chromosome. The aim of WDSD is to bring awareness to the way people with Down syndrome are treated across the world. 

Each year a theme is picked to educate the public about a specific topic regarding Down syndrome and how community choices and views effect those with it. End The Stereotypes is the theme of 2024. Previous themes include:

End The Stereotypes (2024)

With Us Not For Us (2023) 

Inclusion Means (2022)

Connect (2021)

We Decide (2020)

Leave No One Behind (2019)

What I Bring to My Community (2018)

My Voice My Community (2017)

My Friends, My Community (2016)

My Opportunities, My Choices (2015)

Health and Wellbeing – Access and Equality for All (2014)

Right to Work (2013)

Building Our Future (2012)