AS ambassadors go, Glasgow would struggle to find a better one than Stuart Campbell.

The chatty, cheerful 31-year-old is one of the lead commissioners for the 13th World Down Syndrome Congress, which comes to the city later next week.

It is the first time the prestigious event has been held in Scotland – and 32 years since it was last in the UK – and Stuart played a key role in bringing it to Glasgow.

He has travelled all over the world to attend previous congresses - ask him to name a few highlights and he rhymes off: “Spanish dancing in Madrid, a poster presentation of the Scottish Youth Parliament in Dublin, eating plenty of pizza in Jerusalem and having my 13th birthday in Bethlehem – oh, and making garlands and dancing in Chennai, India…” – but he is delighted it is finally “coming home”.

“This will be an event to remember for all time,” says Stuart.

“It is important because it will be easier for Scottish people to attend; and because it will help people with Down’s syndrome and their families.”

Stuart has Down’s syndrome. His dad, Sam, explains: “We have four other children – Stuart arrived for our 20th wedding anniversary.

“It was a bit of a shock, at first, but we had such a positive start from our paediatrician, and loads of support, so it has been a very positive experience for the whole family.”

Sam smiles: “Stuart can light up a room with his personality. People with Down’s syndrome can have serious health issues, but ours have been fairly minor.

“The main challenges for us lie in trying to break down preconceived ideas people have of the condition.”

That is one of the reasons, Sam points out, the congress is invaluable.

“We learned so much at the congresses we have attended, that we were able to take it all back to doctors and teachers, who were mostly glad to improve their knowledge and practice for the benefit of all children with Down’s syndrome,” he says.

More than 1000 people are expected to attend the congress, which takes place at the SEC hosted by Down’s Syndrome Scotland on behalf of Down Syndrome International (DSi) between July 25 and 27.

As one of the lead commissioners – alongside Andrew MacIntyre and Sam Ross – Stuart has been at the heart of organising the event since being part of the bid team five years ago.

Now he is involved in providing training for taxi drivers and hospitality staff ahead of the event.

Pandora Summerfield, CEO of Down’s Syndrome Scotland, says: “The World Down Syndrome Congress is one of a very few global events which brings together researchers, practitioners, children, young people and adults with Down’s Syndrome and their families to share ideas and consider not just the cutting edge developments, but how research and practice can actually improve lives.”

Away from organising the congress, Stuart loves to act. He is a member of Centre Stage, a drama group in his home town of Kilmarnock.

“I would love to perform at the King’s Theatre one day,” he smiles. “I would love to get into paid employment at some stage of my life – something like a waiter by day, and an actor by night.”

For now, it is the congress which is occupying his time and both he and his dad believe the event is vital to helping people understand more about what it really means to have Down’s syndrome.

“I have a deeper understanding of my son because of everything I have learned at the congresses,” says Sam. “One of the key things we experienced is the need to let go and to trust in our children’s ability to live more independent lives.”

He adds: “That is not possible for all people with the condition but it has worked well for Stuart, who is a confident, colourful character and is thriving in everything he does.”

This confident, colourful character is keen to have the last word.

“Down’s syndrome is not a disease - you cannot catch it, nor can you develop it later in life,” Stuart says, firmly. “It is something people with 47 chromosomes are born with and it cannot be taken away from us.

“We can do more than people think.

“We just want what other people want. We get a lot of training but not many jobs.”

Stuart adds: “Now the congress is coming to Glasgow – that’s when people will see what we can do.”

To register and book tickets for the World Downs Syndrome Congress 2018, call 0131 442 8840 or visit http://wdsc2018.org.uk