thesilkroadtoday
How a zero-budget international initiative is bringing the voices of world leaders, celebrities and cultural figures to para athletes around the world
In a world where sport increasingly serves as a powerful language of human connection, inclusion and hope, the stories surrounding para athletes deserve to be heard far beyond stadiums and competition arenas. One international initiative seeking to amplify that message is 100 CTFP – 100 Celebrities Talk for Para Athletes, a global project that brings messages of encouragement and solidarity from prominent figures and celebrities directly to para athletes around the world.
Behind the initiative stands Natalia Cahya Tjahja, Founder of the Maria Monique Last Wish Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing happiness, hope and dignity to children with disabilities, children living with illness, people with disabilities and those facing serious health conditions across the world.
Over the years, the Foundation’s humanitarian work has reached millions of people. Among its most significant practical achievements is the distribution of approximately 17,000 wheelchairs to people in need.
The Foundation’s humanitarian journey has also attracted international media attention. The story of Maria Monique was the subject of a documentary produced by The Associated Press, while the Foundation’s activities have also received coverage from international media outlets including CNN in the United States, CCTV in China, and other media organizations around the world.
A Global Initiative Without Commercial Boundaries
One of the Foundation’s largest international programs is 100 CTFP – 100 Celebrities Talk for Para Athletes.
Created by Natalia Cahya Tjahja, the initiative is being driven internationally in cooperation with Andrew Parsons, President of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC).
100 CTFP is a global, zero-budget and non-commercial initiative designed to connect para athletes with inspiring messages from world figures, public personalities and celebrities. These messages are shared through official video statements and specially designed cards, creating a growing international network of encouragement and recognition.
At the heart of the project is a belief that representation and words of encouragement can have a meaningful impact.
The initiative was launched with an official message from Andrew Parsons, who expressed the philosophy of inclusion through words that reflect the wider Paralympic movement:
«“There is strength in difference; diversity is a fact; inclusion is a choice; the Paralympic Games is the most transformational sport event on Earth.”»
The first launch brought together important representatives of the para-sport community, including the Secretary General of the Asian Paralympic Committee, the President of the National Paralympic Council of Singapore, and H.E. Surya Pratomo, Ambassador of Indonesia to Singapore.
The initiative’s first charity concert, 100 CTGP, was also honoured by three messages from Majid Rashed, President of the Asian Paralympic Committee, based in Dubai.
A Defining Moment: July 11, 2026
A particularly important milestone in the journey of 100 CTFP came on 11 July 2026, when Andrew Parsons released an official video message to the international community and the media.
In his message, Parsons expressed his honour in supporting 100 CTFP and the Maria Monique Last Wish Foundation, emphasizing the close connection between the Foundation’s humanitarian mission and the International Paralympic Committee’s broader commitment to building a more inclusive world through para sport.
The moment marked an important stage of collaboration between the Maria Monique Last Wish Foundation and the International Paralympic Committee, strengthening the international dimension of 100 CTFP and giving further momentum to its mission.
659 Voices and a Growing International Journey
Today, 659 world figures from different countries have participated in 100 CTFP.
The project continues to grow through international cooperation involving governments, embassies, ambassadors and cultural and public figures. Its expansion reflects an understanding that inclusion is not the responsibility of one organization, one country or one sporting movement alone. It is a shared human commitment.
Indonesia has played an important role in supporting and sharing the initiative. 100 CTFP has received significant and continuing media coverage across Indonesian media, documenting its activities and expanding international journey.
Among its supporters is Benny Butar-butar, President Director of ANTARA, Indonesia’s national news agency, whose support reflects the importance of media engagement in bringing the message of inclusion to wider audiences.
From Aichi-Nagoya to the World
The international journey of Natalia Cahya Tjahja and the Maria Monique Last Wish Foundation continues to intersect with major para-sport events and institutions.
Natalia has been invited to attend a reception hosted by the Government of Aichi Prefecture and the Governor of Aichi in connection with the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games.
Her contribution to the Paralympic movement also extends into the field of music and culture. She has been honoured with the role of composer of the Asian Paralympic Committee anthem, which is scheduled to be performed during the opening ceremony of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games.
Her forthcoming international engagements also include a meeting with Crown Princess Victoria on 7 September, while preparations continue for major activities with the Government of Malaysia and for further international programs connected with Aichi-Nagoya.
These developments demonstrate how humanitarian work, culture, diplomacy and sport can come together around a common objective: creating a world in which differences are not barriers but sources of strength.
A Message for Every Language and Every Culture
The growing international network of 100 CTFP includes supporters from many regions of the world, including Dubai and the wider Arab world. Many of these figures communicate in Arabic, creating an important opportunity to expand the initiative’s message across linguistic and cultural boundaries.
For this reason, sharing the story of 100 CTFP in different languages—including Arabic—can help ensure that its message reaches new communities and audiences.
The initiative is built upon a simple but powerful principle: para athletes should know that the world sees them, respects them and stands beside them.
Through video messages, public voices, cultural engagement and international cooperation, 100 CTFP seeks to transform encouragement into a global movement.
The story of 100 CTFP is therefore not only about celebrities speaking to athletes. It is about building bridges between people, nations and communities. It is about recognizing the power of human dignity and the importance of choosing inclusion.
As the number of participating world figures continues to grow beyond 659, the initiative carries its message from country to country and from language to language.
Asian Cultural Celebrities Send Joint Messages for Asian Para-Athletes, Paying Tribute to the Indomitable Sporting Spirit
(Beijing News) The 5th Asian Para Games is approaching in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. To promote the Olympic spirit, Natalia Tjahja, Indonesian artist and composer of the official theme song for the Asian Para Games, has launched the global public-welfare campaign 100 Celebrities Talk for Para Athletes (100 CTFP) together with the Asian Para Games. The Asian Chang’an Society has invited cultural representatives from multiple Asian countries to write inspirational messages for Asian para-athletes. These messages will be used in media coverage and printed on commemorative cards for distribution at competition venues. Cao Shui, Committee Member of the Asia Coordinator Committee of the World Poetry Movement, leads the invitation work for the Asian region.
Natalia Tjahja is a renowned Indonesian artist and philanthropist, founder of the Maria Monique Last Wish Foundation, initiator of the 100 CTFP campaign, and composer of the official theme song for the coming Asian Para Games. Committed to advancing social inclusion and para-sports development through art and philanthropy, she has met and exchanged views with Andrew Parsons, President of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), to jointly promote the global spread of the Paralympic spirit.
Andrew Parsons, President of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), leads the global Paralympic Movement. He is dedicated to promoting social integration and equal rights for persons with disabilities through sports, and serves as a core driving force and spiritual leader of international para-sports.
Participating celebrities cover performing arts, poetry, literature and translation, coming from China, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Egypt and other Asian nations. Their words salute the indomitable life force of para-athletes.
Cao Shui, Committee Member of the Asia Coordinator Committee of the World Poetry Movement, Executive Chairman of the Silk Road International Poetry Festival, Initiator of the Grand Poetics Movement
Imperfection is the medal of flesh. Asia is where the sun rises, and you are the heroes chasing the sun. The moment you rise to your feet, humanity wins the gold medal.
Tang Guoqiang, National First-Class Actor, President of the Actors Working Committee of China Federation of Radio and Television Associations, Special-Type Actor for Mao Zedong
Striving stems from original aspiration; forging ahead creates greatness.
Hou Yong, National First-Class Actor, Vice-President of the Actors Working Committee of China Federation of Radio and Television Associations, Renowned Film-Television Actor
Strength comes from confidence; striving is the very essence.
Hou Tianlai, Co-Chairman of the UN Film, Television Actors and Arts Working Committee, National First-Class Actor
Courage yields results, and fearlessness makes a hero.
Dai Yudong, Chairman and Director-General of the UN Film, Television Actors and Arts Working Committee, Vice-President of the Chinese Poetry Society, President of the International Poets Association
Glory comes from the soul, and simplicity is the true essence.
Liu Xunfu, National First-Class Fine-Arts Master, Executive Director of the Chinese Poetry Society, President of Beijing Oriental Chinese Poetry-Calligraphy-Painting Institute
Life blossoms through hard struggle; dreams light up the arena with perseverance. Salute every fearless Asian para-athlete.
Wang Fangwen, President of the Silk Road International Poets Federation, Distinguished Poet
Chasing glory with unyielding bodies, writing Asian touching moments with life power. Wish para-athletes excel and surpass themselves.
Ashraf Aboul Yazid, Renowned Egyptian Poet & Translator, Honorary Chairman of the Silk Road International Poetry Festival
Adversity tempers resilient souls; the arena witnesses life’s radiance. May Asian para-athletes transcend limits and shine brilliantly.
Altynai Tenirova, Honorary Chairman of the Silk Road International Poetry Festival, Kyrgyzstan Coordinator of the World Poetry Movement, Distinguished Kyrgyz Poet
May your inner fire always burn bright, and may these days be truly unforgettable. Sending you heartfelt congratulations—may your celebration of life go on forever!
Sirojiddin Rauf, Honorary Chairman of the Silk Road International Poetry Festival, Former Secretary-General of the Writers’ Union of Uzbekistan, Poet-Translator
Every achievement made by Paralympians reminds humanity time and again that man—the crown of creation—possesses truly boundless strength, unyielding will, and inexhaustible potential.
It is reported that these inspirational messages will be released in multilingual versions, disseminated across Asian media alongside the 100 CTFP project. Serving as a cultural bond, literature conveys the Paralympic spirit and facilitates people-to-people exchanges among Asian countries.
And at its heart remains the conviction expressed at the beginning of the journey:
There is strength in difference. Diversity is a fact. Inclusion is a choice.
For the Maria Monique Last Wish Foundation and the growing global family behind 100 CTFP – 100 Celebrities Talk for Para Athletes, that choice continues to become a worldwide conversation of hope.
