Under the motto #RunnersConCausa, more than 80 young people are taking part in the inclusive training sessions for the 2025 ProFuturo Race, the presentation of which took place today at the Indoor Athletics Track of the Gallur Sports Centre in Madrid. During the event, participants were able to witness the evolution they have experienced over three months of physical, social and emotional work, just one month before the ProFuturo Race on April 6, which will take place in the centre of Madrid.
The #RunnersConCausa initiative has been a unique space for the comprehensive development of young people with disabilities and at risk of social exclusion. Through training led by Paralympic athlete Lorenzo Albaladejo, a friend of ProFuturo, participants have had the opportunity to strengthen their physical condition, as well as their self-esteem and social skills, in an inclusive and mutually supportive environment. These training sessions have been key to their social integration, allowing young people to connect with the community through sport.
During the presentation, Lorenzo Albaladejo, a Paralympic athlete and in charge of the training’s sports design, expressed “the honour of being able to lead this inclusive training programme with ProFuturo. Sport is not only a tool to improve physical fitness, but it also has a profound impact on emotional well-being and social integration, contributing to ProFuturo’s work to reduce the educational gap and promote inclusion in vulnerable environments through education and sport”.
The event was also attended by the general director of ProFuturo, Magdalena Brier, who stressed that “technology is key to transforming education in vulnerable countries. Through our educational platform, we not only facilitate access to interactive content, but we also train teachers to adapt it to local realities, driving significant change. The 2025 ProFuturo Race’s inclusive training programme is a clear example of how sport can be a catalyst for inclusion and personal development. At ProFuturo we are committed to inclusion, offering young people the necessary tools to overcome barriers and have a better future”.
In the case of Chema Martínez, a renowned athlete and prominent figure in the world of running, and also a friend of ProFuturo, he participated as master of ceremonies. “It’s a pleasure to see how sport can become a vehicle for social change,” he said, “especially when working with young people who face so many challenges. The training in this program have demonstrated how integration, teamwork and personal improvement can transform lives. I am proud to be part of this project and to be able to share my experience and motivation with them.”
Marcelino Pérez, director of Special Olympics Madrid, also wanted to highlight during the event the importance of collaboration between entities: “Collaboration between different entities and working together are key to advancing social inclusion. Watching the progress of these young people, many of them connected to Special Olympics, is a testament to the power of sport to create opportunities and change lives. This event is a perfect example of how we can make a real difference in the lives of young people”.
Similarly, Margarita Bujosa, Territorial Coordinator of Save the Children in Madrid, has highlighted the positive impact of the programme on young people at risk of social exclusion: “This programme is a reflection of what can be achieved when we join forces to support young people in vulnerable situations. Thanks to initiatives like this, young people at risk of social exclusion can have access to tools that allow them to grow not only physically, but also emotionally and socially. For Save the Children, this collaboration has been essential in offering them a path towards greater integration.”
In addition, the event has had the support of more than 30 Telefónica volunteers who have joined the cause to accompany and support the young people in achieving the challenge. Within the framework of the presentation, the solidarity challenge #RunnersConCausa was announced, launched by Fundación Telefónica, ProFuturo, and Special Olympics, which invites people to run kilometres virtually from March 7 to April 6 for educational transformation and digital inclusion. You can participate by running, walking, cycling or swimming, and contribute to this inclusive and transformative cause.
80 young people benefit from an inclusive sports programme
Over the course of three months of training, 80 young people aged between 14 and 17 have actively participated in this initiative, of whom 60 have disabilities and 20 are at risk of social exclusion. The training sessions not only focused on improving their physical condition, but also on providing them with the necessary tools to increase their self-esteem, foster their social skills and achieve greater integration into society.
The programme has highlighted how sport can be a transformative tool for young people, especially when combined with emotional support and inclusion.
ProFuturo, quality, equitable and inclusive education
ProFuturo is an educational innovation programme with technology launched by Fundación Telefónica and Fundación “La Caixa” to reduce the educational gap by providing quality education to boys and girls in vulnerable environments in Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa and Asia. The intervention model is based on the impact evidence provided by continuous monitoring processes, studies and evaluations.
ProFuturo relies on innovative teaching methodologies with which it seeks to help teachers and students develop skills to face the challenges of the 21st century. The programme works with other institutions and companies, aspiring to create a large international network of teachers who teach, learn and share knowledge in order to jointly achieve better education around the world.
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