Lanzhou, Gansu, July 22, 2005 – Yet another Family Support Network (FSN) Seminar was successfully held during July 18-22, in Lanzhou, Gansu Province. This FSN Seminar was led by Ms Anna Chan, Director of Organizational Development for Special Olympics East Asia. In total, 21 parents attended the seminar. Other honorable guests included Mr Sun Gongping, Deputy Secretary of Gansu Provincial office; Mrs Xueming, Director of Gansu Disabled Persons' Federation; and Mr Yang Wei, Deputy Director of Gansu Sports Bureau.

Over the conference's four days, leaders were selected from among the trainees to oversee certain activities and help promote a productive learning environment. The success of the conference was also due to a positive attitude among the trainees and their sincere will to learn. Throughout the conference, trainees listened, discussed and were very vocal on topics such as developing the FSN, expanding Special Olympics activities and communicating more effectively with the government.

Also during the conference, Ms Anna Chan had a chance to report to the leaders of the Gansu Disabled Persons' Federation on the current situation of parents and athletes. She expressed her hope that the local leaders, the schools and the community could work together to develop the Gansu Familiy Support Network.

The FSN connects Special Olympics families with new families of an individual with intellectual disabilities and provides supportive links and information. The network is based on the premise that the family members of present and future Special Olympics athletes are valuable and have an important role to play in Special Olympics outreach. The FSN creates opportunities for family members to become advocates for the Special Olympics movement; match families to share ideas, issues and common interests; volunteer in their loved one's athletic training; and encourage new families who can benefit from Special Olympics to join.