Sharjah, that quietly determined emirate with an outsized humanitarian streak, has just pulled off something historic. Between 15 and 17 September, its Expo Centre transformed into the beating heart of global advocacy, hosting the 18th World Congress of Inclusion International, the first time the event landed in the Middle East or North Africa.
Branded with the rallying cry “We Are Inclusion”, it wasn’t merely a gathering of good intentions. It was a rally, a reckoning and, frankly, a reminder to the rest of the world that inclusion isn’t a luxury. It’s a right.
A Ruler’s Patronage, A City’s Pride
Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, the congress unfolded with the sort of gravitas only Sharjah could stage — meticulous, heartfelt, and uncompromisingly human. The Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services (SCHS), led by the indefatigable Sheikha Jameela bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, joined forces with Inclusion International and the Sharjah Government Media Bureau to pull together an event that saw 600 delegates, 152 speakers, 59 sessions, and voices from 74 nations.
Numbers aside, the mood set the tone. This was no dry academic conference; it was lived experience, optimism, and advocacy woven together, often with an emotional punch that left the audience blinking back tears.
A Lifetime Honour with Global Weight
The standout moment? Without question, honorary lifetime membership was awarded to Sheikha Jameela herself, in recognition of her decades-long fight for the dignity and rights of people with intellectual disabilities.
This wasn’t just a polite plaque for the mantelpiece. Inclusion International, the world’s largest network in this field, rarely hands out such honours. For Sheikha Jameela, it was both personal and political: a validation of her work and a signal to the world that Sharjah is leading from the front.
“Sheikh Sultan’s vision has always been rooted in justice,” she said, her words more than ceremonial. They carried the authority of someone who has spent decades turning policy into practice. She described SCHS as a “beacon of inclusion” and a “driver of international cooperation” and no soul in the hall doubted it.
Inclusion International Tips Its Hat
Applause poured in from across the globe. Sue Swenson, president of Inclusion International, lauded Sharjah for setting the benchmark.
“The emirate has demonstrated that investing in inclusive policies positively transforms the lives of individuals and families, while strengthening communities,” she said. Then the clincher said, “Hosting this congress underlines Sharjah’s role as a key partner in shaping a more inclusive international future.”
For a city often overshadowed by its brasher neighbours, it was validation — and vindication.
Heavyweights at the Podium
The opening ceremony had the sort of line-up any UN summit would envy. Among the speakers were Shaikh Mohamed bin Duaij Al Khalifa, President of the Bahrain Paralympic Committee; Jamie Cooke, Executive Director of Inclusion International; Hashem Taqi, President of Inclusion International MENA; and His Royal Highness Prince Mired bin Raad bin Zeid of Jordan, a tireless advocate for disability rights.
Each speech underscored the same point: inclusion is not a catchphrase. It is policy, practice and persistence.
Sharjah’s Global Signal
Inclusion International convenes this congress every four years in a different host nation. Sharjah’s choice wasn’t just symbolic; it was strategic. The emirate has put its money, leadership, and soul where its mouth is, embedding inclusion into education, healthcare, community services, and policy.
The result? A model others can copy. An example that proves a small emirate can punch well above its weight on the world stage.
Beyond the Applause
When the lights dimmed and the closing speeches wrapped, the sense in the air was unmistakable: Sharjah had delivered. Not a token gesture, not a roadmap, not a slogan, but a living, breathing commitment to inclusion.
The congress title may have been “We Are Inclusion,” but after three days of fiery speeches, hard truths, and heartfelt testimonies, it felt more like a promise: we will remain inclusive.
And knowing Sharjah, it’s a promise that will stick.
By Karuna Johnson
