World Congress 2025 'We Are Inclusion' ends on a high note

After three days of global discussions, the 18th edition of World Congress 2025 "We Are Inclusion" concluded on Wednesday in Sharjah.

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Hosted for the first time in the Middle East and North Africa region, the congress brought together 152 speakers, including self-advocates, families, experts, and policymakers from 160 organisations across 74 countries, leading 59 sessions, in addition to 600 participants.

Organised by Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services (SCHS) in collaboration with Inclusion International, and held in strategic partnership with the Sharjah Government Media Bureau, the congress featured a series of international discussions focused on inclusion, justice, and the empowerment of persons with intellectual disabilities and their families.

In her closing remarks, Sue Swenson, President of Inclusion International, said: "As a global civil society movement, we are committed to ensuring diverse and inclusive leadership that truly represents families and self-advocates. At our next General Assembly, we will explore how to make this a reality.

"The Universal Declaration of Human Rights reminds us that equal recognition of rights is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace, and that is the future we are determined to build."