Eder opened the second of two workshops as the seven-day event, hosted by Saudi Arabian capital Riyadh, got underway.

The day started with the first workshop, entitled "The Inclusion Revolution and Global Values", which saw seven-year-old Pride of Britain winner Harmonie-Rose Allen and Ghazi Anas Khan of Special Olympics deliver welcome messages.

Swimmer Ellie Cole, who is Australia’s most decorated female Paralympian, was among five special guests to speak at the event.

Jon-Paul St. Germain, Special Olympics' senior director for sport partnership, and Ben Haack, director at Special Olympics Australia, also participated along with Craig Spence, chief brand and communications officer for the International Paralympic Committee and Lama Alfozan, Board member for the Saudi Arabian Fencing Federation.

The second workshop, called, "UTS Ambassadors Cultivate Community", was opened by Eder, while the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Fit for Life programme also delivered a special message.

Nine UTS youth ambassadors took part in the workshop where they spoke about issues that they felt mattered to their generation.

The aim of the festival is to increase youth participation in sport while reducing inactivity, as well as encouraging positive life skills and values.

Organisers are hoping to attract more than 30,000 participants ranging from as young as five to 18 years old.

"Since 1994 the November 20 is the day we celebrate universal children’s day," a statement from UTS read.

"It is a day where we celebrate international togetherness and promote and celebrate children’s rights.

"We all play an important part to make this day relevant for all of us and it is the traditional opening day for the UTS World Virtual Youth Festival.

"The 2021 festival again opened with two important workshops, advocating toward equality, non-discrimination, inclusion and educating on mental health."

Two more workshops are due to be held tomorrow, with International Testing Agency director Benjamin Cohen and World Anti-Doping Agency President Witold Bańka set to speak.