SHARJAH HOSTS MENA’S FIRST INCLUSION INTERNATIONAL WORLD CONGRESS

^{Honorary Lifetime Membership certificate awarded to Sheikha Jameela bint Mohammed Al Qasimi by Inclusion International (Photo: AETOSWire)}

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 22 (Bernama) -- For the first time in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), the Emirate of Sharjah hosted the 18th edition of the World Congress 2025, “We Are Inclusion”, under the patronage and in the presence of Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi.

Held for three days, the event, which ended Sept 17, was organised by the Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services (SCHS) and Inclusion International, with support from the strategic partnership of the Sharjah Government Media Bureau.

The congress brought together 152 speakers and 600 participants from 160 organisations across 74 countries, including self-advocates, family members, experts, and policymakers, across a total of 59 sessions.

During the event, Inclusion International granted Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services Chairperson, Sheikha Jameela bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, an honorary lifetime membership for her pivotal contributions to the global movement to empower people with intellectual disabilities and to strengthen the rights and roles of their families in society.

This accolade is a distinguished international honour conferred by the world’s largest network dedicated to advocating for the rights of persons with intellectual disabilities and their families, according to a statement.

It firmly positions Sheikha Jameela among the foremost global figures whose contributions have significantly advanced the protection, empowerment, and inclusion of individuals with intellectual disabilities on the international stage.

“This honour serves as a testament to the enduring legacy of SCHS, which, since its establishment, has stood as a beacon of inclusion, a leading institution in specialised knowledge and services, and a major driver of international cooperation and partnerships,” said Sheikha Jameela.

Meanwhile, Inclusion International President, Sue Swenson said: “The emirate has demonstrated that investing in inclusive policies positively transforms the lives of individuals and families while strengthening communities. Hosting this congress underlines Sharjah’s role as a key partner in shaping a more inclusive international future.”

Convened every four years in a member country, hosting the congress reflects Sharjah’s commitment to the principles of Inclusion International, namely inclusive education, community inclusion, empowerment, equality, and the protection of rights that have been turned into practical programmes and policies that have yielded success over the past decades.

-- BERNAMA