Sharjah to Host Landmark “We Are Inclusion” World Congress 2025
From 15th to 17th September 2025, the Emirate of Sharjah will make history as it welcomes the World Congress 2025 “We Are Inclusion”, the largest global gathering dedicated to inclusion and the empowerment of people with intellectual disabilities. This marks the congress’s debut in the MENA region, bringing together over 152 speakers from 72 countries at the Expo Centre Sharjah.
The three-day event will assemble distinguished figures including presidents of international organisations, UN representatives, government ministers, senior policymakers, academics, self-advocates, and youth leaders. The congress is set to become a focal point for innovative perspectives and policy-shaping dialogues designed to foster inclusive and equitable frameworks at both regional and global levels.
Among the headline speakers is Sheikha Jameela bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, President of Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services, whose legacy in pioneering regional and international initiatives for people with disabilities has garnered global accolades, including honorary doctorates and major humanitarian awards.
Prince Mired bin Ra’ad, President of the Higher Council for the Affairs of Persons with Disabilities in Jordan, will bring expertise in advancing rights and policy development, leveraging his experiences as Special Envoy for the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention and his advocacy for injured military veterans.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Duaij Al Khalifa, leading both the Bahrain Paralympic Committee and serving on the Asian Paralympic Committee, will present on the transformative power of sport in empowering people and promoting social responsibility.
Mona Abdul Karim Al Yafie, Director-General of Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services and Vice President of Inclusion International’s Middle East and North Africa region, will share expertise in developing educational and rehabilitation programmes, highlighting her leadership in training and scientific conferences focusing on disability.
The congress will also feature Chaica Al Qassimi, a prominent self-advocate from the region. As a national representative of people with Down syndrome, she has promoted rights to education, employment, and independent living at international forums.
Sue Swenson, President of Inclusion International, will speak from her extensive leadership background, including her tenure as a senior advisor in the US Department of Education under two presidential administrations and her strong advocacy at the United Nations for the rights of people with disabilities to full participation and decision-making.
With over two decades in the global disability movement, Jose Maria Viera, Executive Director of the International Disability Alliance, will provide insights on advancing equality and inclusion, following his leadership of the World Blind Union and dedication to rights in the Global South.
A key contributor to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Diane Richler will provide expert analysis on inclusive education, reflecting her experience as president of both Inclusion International and the **International Disability Alliance.
International thought leadership in inclusive policy will be reflected through Jody Carr, former Minister of Education in New Brunswick, Canada, celebrated for shaping Policy 322, a model of best practice in inclusive education.
From Kuwait, Rehab Boursili, a notable UN Committee member, will address her roles in civil society, sports, and as Chairperson of the Kuwaiti Society for Guardians of the Disabled, illustrating how international expertise is adapted for the Gulf region.
Inspiration will come from Michael Haddad, UNDP Goodwill Ambassador for Climate Action in the Arab States, whose remarkable journey overcoming paralysis and achieving extraordinary feats connects themes of disability empowerment and the urgency of global climate action.
As Executive Director of Inclusion International, Jamie Cooke will highlight civic engagement and social policy, reflecting a new generation’s leadership in the global movement for disability rights.
The programme will further feature prominent advocates including Rahma Khaled (the Arab world’s first TV presenter with Down syndrome), Author and Trainer Mohammed Al Nabulsi (expert in simplified reading for youth), and activist Anita Rizkallah, alongside a host of academics and specialists in psychology and special education.
This ground-breaking congress in Sharjah promises to chart new pathways for effective inclusion, celebrating the achievements of people with intellectual disabilities and inspiring meaningful policy change worldwide.
Team V.4-EM-UAE
