This inaugural G7 summit dedicated to Inclusion and Disability was held in Umbria, Italy, from October 14-16 and brought together delegations from the EU and G7 as well as NGOs from the world of disability for 3 days. It was a historic opportunity to bring the challenges of caring for people with intellectual disabilities to the forefront of this international summit.

The Jérôme Lejeune Foundation was invited by the Italian Minister of Disability, Alessandra Locatelli, to share its international experience and expertise in the field of intellectual disabilities of genetic origin.

With ECOSOC status at the UN, a formidable presence in 4 countries (France, Argentina, Spain and the United States), and with 4 specialized clinics and a patient base of more than 13,000, JLF’s position stated that the inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities in society is only possible with access to good healthcare. If we do not develop research and medical support aimed at correcting intellectual disabilities and reducing disability, the results of inclusive policies will remain limited.

To meet this challenge, Grégoire François-Dainville, CEO of the Jérôme Lejeune Foundation, has made two strong and innovative proposals. First, make access to health care for people with intellectual disabilities a public health priority, by encouraging States to fund specialized medical clinics. Secondly, since artificial intelligence is the great challenge facing our century, he proposes to invent a mechanism that would make it possible to devote a part of the turnover of companies in the field of AI to funding research on intellectual disabilities, for the direct benefit of the vulnerable population. He also emphasized the importance of a "humanized diagnosis" of trisomy 21, providing for objective support and information for families in order to promote free and voluntary consent to accept the disabled. Finally, he explained the need to make the "life project" of people with disabilities the "keystone" of disability policies. As JLF’s motto states; Care, Research and Advocacy.

Since its creation in 1995, the Jérôme Lejeune Foundation has been shining internationally through its three missions:

• CARE; by developing specialized medical clinics. With more than 13,000 patients served since its creation, its Paris clinic is the largest in the world for intellectual disabilities of genetic origin, including trisomy 21. Two other clinics have been created: in Córdoba, Argentina in 2021 and in Madrid, Spain, in 2022.
• RESEARCH; by conducting and funding research projects with therapeutic aims, from all over the world, to try to diminish intellectual disability.
• ADVOCACY; the defense of people with intellectual disabilities in the face of discrimination against them, in particular through its action with international bodies such as the UN and the European Commission. In 2020, the Foundation was officially recognized by the UN and obtained the official status of ECOSOC.

For more information, please contact us at info@lejeunefoundation.org