A UAE-supported project is leading the global movement for inclusive education. The Special Olympics Global Centre for Inclusion in Education has set an ambitious plan to ensure that children with disabilities have equal access to quality education and school sports. This agenda, unveiled at the 2025 Global Disability Summit in Berlin, was created by a research collaboration that included experts from renowned universities such as Harvard, Yale, and NYU Abu Dhabi.
The project is supported by a $25 million contribution from President Sheikh Mohamed, a legacy of the 2019 Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi.
Dr. Jackie Jodl from Special Olympics International addressed the need to build learning environments that value all children. She emphasised that inclusion should prioritise friendship, value, and long-term structural change over isolated attempts.
The study advocates for explicit cultural definitions of inclusion, improved educator training, and the appropriate use of artificial intelligence. According to UNESCO data, just 17% of nations legally implement inclusive education, emphasising the importance. The centre, which operates in 59 nations, intends to present its initial findings later this year. Its purpose is straightforward: to change global ideas and promote sustainable inclusion from the ground up.
