Mohamed bin Zayed Foundation for Humanity pledges $11m to expand inclusive education globally

The Mohamed bin Zayed Foundation for Humanity has pledged US$11 million to the Abu Dhabi-based Special Olympics Global Center for Inclusion in Education. The grant is set to expand the Unified Champion Schools (UCS) program, a global initiative that fosters inclusive education for youth with and without intellectual disabilities.

Expanding inclusive education

The $11 million commitment will extend the UCS program into 10 new countries across the Special Olympics’ 152-country network. It will also support the training of more than 6,000 educators, including teachers, coaches, and youth mentors, equipping them with effective inclusion practices.

In addition, the funding will strengthen the Corps of Inclusive Educators, a global peer-to-peer network that assists schools and educators in embedding inclusive practices into their cultures for long-term impact.

Building on a legacy

The Global Center for Inclusion in Education, headquartered in Abu Dhabi, was founded in 2020 through a $25 million gift by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE. The center serves as a hub for research, policy development, and programming to advance inclusive education worldwide.

This renewed support was announced during an event hosted by the Mohamed bin Zayed Foundation for Humanity on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Distinguished attendees included:

• H.E. Yousef Al Otaiba, UAE Ambassador to the US and Special Olympics Board Member

• H.E. Dr Tareq Al Ameri, Chairman of the UAE AID Agency

• H.E. Dr Shamma Khalifa Al Mazrouei, Acting Director General of the Mohamed bin Zayed Foundation for Humanity

• Dr Timothy Shriver, Chairman of the Special Olympics International Board of Directors

• H.E. Sana bint Mohammed Suhail, UAE Minister of Family, who delivered the opening remarks

Voices from leaders

Speaking at the event, H.E. Yousef Al Otaiba highlighted the UAE’s global vision:
“Under the guidance of our leadership, the UAE is committed to fostering societies where youth of all abilities are empowered and celebrated. The UAE is proud to work alongside Special Olympics to expand opportunity, advance equality, and demonstrate the power of global collaboration to create lasting change.”

H.E. Dr Shamma Khalifa Al Mazrouei emphasized the broader impact of inclusive education:
“This partnership reflects the UAE’s belief that inclusive education has the power to transform lives, communities, and societies. With this commitment, we further a legacy that began with the Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi, and continue to contribute to a future where every child can achieve and thrive.”

Dr Timothy Shriver described the grant as a milestone:
“This landmark commitment from the Mohamed bin Zayed Foundation for Humanity is a bold affirmation of a simple but revolutionary idea: inclusion is not charity, it is transformation. With this grant, we are scaling a movement rooted in dignity, equality, and the power of young people to reshape education systems.”

Impact of the UCS program

The UCS program combines sports, youth leadership, and community engagement to foster inclusion within schools. To date, the Global Center has supported 2,831 schools globally, engaging more than 1.1 million young people and training nearly 19,500 educators in inclusive teaching.

Athlete Patience Irfasha from Special Olympics Rwanda shared her experience:
“Participating in Unified Sports has changed my life. I’ve made friends I never would have met and learned that we all have something valuable to contribute, regardless of our abilities.”

Research conducted across countries such as China, Greece, Egypt, India, the United States, and Kenya has shown consistent benefits of UCS participation. These include improved academic performance, stronger social-emotional skills, reduced bullying, and heightened empathy. In India, 86% of participating students reported a stronger sense of belonging, while in Greece, students were up to 16 times more likely to report growth in patience, empathy, and emotional understanding.

The pledge marks a major step in advancing the UAE’s mission of promoting inclusivity and equality on a global scale, reinforcing the transformative role of education in shaping inclusive societies.