The initiative will transform classrooms in 10 countries through inclusion
The Mohamed bin Zayed Foundation for Humanity has pledged US$11 million to the Special Olympics Global Center for Inclusion in Education, based in Abu Dhabi.
This latest development will significantly expand its Unified Champion Schools (UCS) program worldwide.
The initiative promotes social inclusion for youth with and without intellectual disabilities through sports, leadership opportunities, and whole-school engagement.
The new grant will extend UCS programming into 10 additional countries within the Special Olympics network of 152 nations.
It will also enable the launch of a professional development platform designed to train more than 6,000 educators globally, including teachers, coaches, and youth mentors, in proven inclusive practices.
In addition, the funding will strengthen the Corps of Inclusive Educators, a global network providing peer-to-peer support and technical assistance to embed inclusive education into schools for long-term impact.
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Established in 2020 with a $25 million gift from His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Special Olympics Global Center for Inclusion in Education has become a hub for research, policy, and programming in inclusive education.
It serves as a legacy of the Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019 and reflects the UAE’s leadership in advancing inclusive societies worldwide.
The renewed commitment was announced at an event hosted by the Mohamed bin Zayed Foundation for Humanity during the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
The gathering highlighted the UAE’s role in shaping international efforts to expand educational access and opportunity.
Since its establishment, the Global Center has supported 2,831 Unified Champion Schools across the world, engaging more than 1.1 million young people and training nearly 20,000 educators and coaches.
Evaluations of UCS programmes in countries including China, Greece, Egypt, India, Kenya, and the United States show consistent benefits, such as improved academic performance, stronger social-emotional skills, reduced bullying, and greater feelings of belonging among students.
This new funding further cements the UAE’s global leadership in inclusive education and builds on the momentum of the Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi, creating opportunities for children everywhere to achieve and thrive.
For further information, visit Mohamed Bin Zayed Foundation
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