There were several young Deaf people from different countries of the world in Sochi during March 1st to 7th, attending the World Youth Festival. This is the largest international youth event that will bring together 20,000 participants from all over the world. Pop-up booths for business, media, education, science, culture, volunteering, and sports were set up there. 

The first season of competitions among Deaf frisbee golfers has ended at Pro Park. There are 8 seasons per year, each lasting several weeks. This sport is gaining popularity in the Baltics and Scandinavia. The rules of the games are simple, you need to hit the hole. Children, teenagers, women and men can play in it.

The World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) recently published an announcement stating that there has been an increasing number of humanitarian crisis cases around the world, both man-made and natural, which means that Deaf people are more at risk of being harmed. The WFD explains that due to various crises, there are currently Deaf people in Gaza, Ukraine, Haiti, Chile, and Morocco who do not have access to basic humanitarian aid or information. The WFD is committing to increase its support to Deaf people stuck in the middle of crises around the world and has set up a fundraiser to ensure that Deaf people receive assistance and resources during these challenging times. In the war-torn region of Gaza, the WFD has been working closely with the Palestinian Federation of the Deaf since October 2023. Together, they have connected with key organizations such as the UN and Unicef, to provide crucial aid, such as food parcels that are distributed at UN facilities in Rafah. The WFD has also prompted the Palestinian government to make sure that the dissemination of vital information is accessible by sign language. Following the devastating earthquake in Morocco, the WFD collaborated with the National Federation of Deaf People to advocate for emergency preparedness training. A letter of support was sent jointly to Moroccan authorities, emphasizing the unique needs of Deaf individuals affected by the disaster. Similarly, in Haiti, the WFD extended mental health support and facilitated connections with basic food suppliers to aid Deaf communities who are the victims of serious discrimination. While this support is already happening, the WFD does not feel it is enough. The WFD is running a fundraiser to pay for the work of a Disaster Risk Reductions Officer, training, and the expenses associated with the costs of accessibility, such as paying for interpreters, translators, production of torch lights, batteries, and other supplies. The fundraiser can be found on the WFD’s website and Facebook page. 

The Indian Deaf Cricket Association (IDCA) recently made history by organizing the inaugural T-10 Women’s Deaf Premier League in Mumbai during January 8th to 11th 2024. The Premier League saw six women’s teams from across the nation battle it out on the cricket field for the prestigious Premier League trophy. The Punjab Lions, UP Warriorz, Mumbai Stars, Delhi Bulls, Hyderabad Eagles and Bangalore Badshahs were the six Deaf women’s cricket teams who competed in the four-day tournament. 

The Georgios Markou School for the Deaf recently celebrated 70 years of its service to Deaf people in Cyprus. The Deaf school was founded by a man named Georgios Markou in 1953, who is also known as the “Father of Deaf people.” In the school’s inception, Markou traveled across Cyprus and reached out to communities to identify Deaf children. Markou managed to visit the homes of Deaf children and engage with their families to eventually persuade them to let their Deaf child attend and live at the Deaf school. The Georgios Markou School for the Deaf came from humble beginnings of just 22 students.