International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2025
Amplifying the Leadership of Persons with Disabilities for an Inclusive and Sustainable Future
December 3 is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD)
The Mastercard Foundation celebrates the innovative spirit and ingenuity that youth with disabilities bring to breaking down barriers to equitable education and employment and catalyzing innovative solutions for the future of work.
Inclusive Leadership
Equity and inclusionâŻareâŻcentralâŻto the realization of the Mastercard Foundationâs vision and mission. This is reflected in the Foundationâs strategy, Young Africa Works, which aims to enable 30 million youth, particularly women, to obtain dignified and fulfilling work by 2030.âŻ
Creating prosperity across the continent will require leaders of all backgrounds and experiences who will work to ensure transformative solutions are available to all. The Mastercard Foundation celebrates the innovative spirit and ingenuity that young people with disabilities bring to breaking down barriers to equitable education and employment, and catalyzing innovative solutions for the future of work.
Celebrating young leaders with disabilities as they reshape culture, policy and community
We are amplifying the voices of young people by sharing a storytelling series that showcases how, when youth Lead Loud, ideas turn into action.
This year's global theme, “Amplifying the Leadership of Persons with Disabilities for an Inclusive and Sustainable Future,” takes shape through the Kuvakala Thina storytelling series, meaning “You’re hearing from us now.” These powerful stories provide a platform for young people with disabilities to share their experiences, recommendations, and opinions on decisions that impact them, and demonstrate how they are leading and succeeding in ‘Leading Loud’.
Kuvakala Thina Storytelling Seriesï»ż
Read the stories
Lead Loud
This year's global theme, âAmplifying the Leadership of Persons with Disabilities for an Inclusive and Sustainable Future,â takes shape through the Kuvakala Thina storytelling series, meaning âYouâre hearing from us now.â These powerful stories provide a platform for young people with disabilities to share their experiences, recommendations, and opinions on decisions that impact them, and demonstrate how they are leading and succeeding in âLeading Loudâ.
In 2024, we amplified the voices of young people with disabilities in an exciting, live-streamed event which included innovative leaders who are breaking barriers lead a discussion about disability inclusion.
Below are two insightful panel discussions that hosted young voices from across Africa who discussed key topics around the theme: “Empowering Young Leaders: Shaping Inclusive Futures.” These discussions provided a platform for young people with disabilities to share their experiences, recommendations, and opinions in decisions that impact them.
2024 Live Stream Panel Discussions
Cultural Representation and Media Presentation
The Role of Technology in Empowering Youth with Disabilities
Learn more about Our Work in Disability Inclusion
Global Disability Summit 2025
How the Mastercard Foundation and Light for the World co-created to share insights and impact the signature event.
Learn more
Fostering Inclusivity
We believe inclusive economic growth is essential to unlocking the full potential of young people in Africa and Indigenous youth in Canada.
Learn more