In partnership with the British Council,
first legacy programme to promote social inclusion and support for people of determination through sport
• Special Olympics UAE announces partnership with the British Council, the UK’s international organization for education and culture to promote social inclusion.
• The two-year agreement will raise awareness and educate 4,000 students and Coaches in 30 UAE schools and educational centres of the long-term societal benefit of supporting people with intellectual disabilities access sporting opportunities.
• This is the first legacy agreement signed with an international partner ahead of the Special Olympics World Games in March 2019
• The Programme will help Students with and without disabilities to interact through inclusive social and educational activities that promote inclusion and reach the majority of the school population. This fosters understanding, develops each student’s value system, and promotes a schoolwide community of acceptance.
Abu Dhabi, 18th December 2018 Special Olympics UAE, the local program of Special Olympics serving athletes and the community in the UAE, today signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the British Council pledging to work together to promote social inclusion as an integral part of UK and UAE values.
The UK’s Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, Patrick Moody attended the signing ceremony and said “The United Kingdom is proud to be a strong supporter of the upcoming Special Olympics World Games in the UAE. As well as cheering on and supporting Team GB, we have set ourselves a target of 2019 volunteers from across the British Community in the UAE, who will all play a crucial part in making sure the games are a success. I have already volunteered, and I’m giving my Embassy staff working time to volunteer as well.
As the UAE has so clearly demonstrated in announcing 2019 as the Year of Tolerance, the Special Olympics are just one part of the country’s long-term ambition to strengthen the tolerant and inclusive nature of society here. The Special Olympics are a fabulous opportunity to create a lasting legacy across the country, and this announcement today is a big part of that. The training and resource materials will really help teachers, coaches and students build an inclusive environment within their schools, and develop the techniques and confidence to make that a living, enduring part of their schools.”
As Abu Dhabi prepares to host the first Special Olympics World Games in March 2019, partners are committed to inspiring and supporting social inclusion and tolerance across the UAE.
Commenting on the partnership Talal Al Hashemi the Special Olympics UAE National Director said: “The Unified Champion School Program is one of the most important programs offered by the Special Olympics to ensure a smooth inclusion and tolerance progression in schools through the implementation of a series of programs and activities by coaches and teachers in schools.
Through our substantial partnership with the British Council, the program will heavily be focused on training coaches and teachers to raise their qualifications in implementing unified school programs. These programs have been successfully implemented in schools in the United Kingdom. This program specifically stems from our deep belief in offering the best high-quality training programs at the Special Olympics UAE”
Gavin Anderson, Director British Council in the UAE said; “this agreement supports the wider ambitions to create a more tolerant and inclusive society here in the UAE through the power of sport. Over the next two years, we will support Special Olympics UAE and work with UAE partners to raise awareness and advocate for a more inclusive culture of sports participation across the UAE. This includes working directly with 30 UAE schools and educational centres ultimately reaching 4,000 students to create a mindset that champions the idea that inclusivity through sport benefits all. This will be a fitting tribute and legacy of the Special Olympics World Games.”
The partnership will commence with cascade model training workshops in February 2019 for teachers and coaches from across the United Arab Emirates working in schools across the country. Leading UK charity, Youth Sport Trust International will spend 10 days in the UAE working with teachers to introduce the Special Olympics UAE Unified Champion Schools Playbook, building confidence in teachers to take the Playbook back to their own classrooms and school sports halls to #MakeSportHappen for everyone in their communities.
About the Unified School Champion Programme
The Unified Champion Schools program is an integral part of the legacy to 2019’s Special Olympic World Games in Abu Dhabi, which helps practitioners to develop key future skills such as leadership, teamwork, resilience and communication skills through inclusive sports.
The program includes four Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools Playbooks for teachers and students to use. The Unified Champion Schools program focuses on three key pillars: Inclusive Sports, Inclusive Athlete Leadership and school-wide engagement.
The program responds to the focus of UAE’s mission in creating an inclusive educational atmosphere that encourages each student to become a healthy, productive and ethical individual. In an inclusive school climate, diversity is valued, equity is demanded, and every student is a contributing member. However, students of determination often are disengaged from school-based social opportunities, experience social isolation, and suffer negative educational outcomes as a result.
The Unified Champion Schools Playbooks include strategies, implementation guidance and tips for achieving more inclusive schools. Though the building blocks of the program remain the same, each Unified Champion School will apply them differently. Schools in the UAE are encouraged to consider which activities are most appropriate for their own needs, of greatest interest to their students, and offer the most meaningful participation opportunities.
