His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan

All youth deserve the chance to learn, lead, and thrive. The Mohamed bin Zayed Foundation for Humanity is committing US$11 million to the Special Olympics Global Center for Inclusion in Education. Through this partnership, we are proud to continue to scale a movement dedicated to building more inclusive schools and societies worldwide. Together, we are shaping a future where every young person is valued, celebrated, and belongs.

[Abu Dhabi, UAE – September 25, 2025] The Mohamed bin Zayed Foundation for Humanity has announced an US$11 million grant to the Abu Dhabi-based Special Olympics Global Center for Inclusion in Education to significantly expand its Unified Champion Schools (UCS) initiative, a transformative program that advances social inclusion for youth with and without intellectual disabilities.

The Excellence in Action: Expanding Unified Champion Schools Across Europe Eurasia event brought together leaders, mentors, educators, and youth with and without intellectual disabilities from across Europe and Eurasia.

The Special Olympics MENA Unified Champion Schools (UCS) Hub event, titled Excellence in Action: Expanding UCS across the MENA region, was held from October 23 to October 26, 2024.

[Bucharest, Romania - October 25, 2024] Special Olympics Europe Eurasia, in collaboration with Special Olympics Romania, is organizing the conference "Excellence in Action: Expanding Unified Champion Schools Across the Special Olympics Europe Eurasia Region."

Special Olympics Global Center for Inclusion in Education and Special Olympics Rwanda hosted the Excellence in Action: Expanding Unified Champion Schools workshop.

[Kigali, Rwanda – 17 September 2024] In recognition of Special Olympics Rwanda’s continued excellence in inclusive education, the country will play host to 50 delegates from 11 countries for the Special Olympics Africa Unified Champion Schools Workshop from 24 – 26 September at the Four Point Sheraton.

In July 2024, Special Olympics Global Center for Inclusion in Education and Special Olympics Argentina hosted the Excellence in Action: Expanding Unified Champion Schools workshop, with support from His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, president of the United Arab Emirates, an event aimed at introducing and expanding Unified Champion Schools (UCS) programming.

Over 40 youth leaders with and without intellectual disabilities from 14 Asian Pacific countries gathered in Singapore earlier in June for the “Youth for Inclusion: Expanding Unified Champion Schools” summit.

The launch of the Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools® (UCS) Project in South Africa marked a historic moment in the nation's journey towards fostering inclusivity and acceptance.