A pioneering new initiative has been launched in Special Olympics for the Middle East and North Africa region Region (Middle East and North Africa): Champions Unified Schools (UCS) Ambassadors Programme. This first-of-its-kind project brings youth voices to the forefront, providing them with a platform to lead, inspire and create more inclusive communities through the transformative power of sport. As Ambassadors, selected youth leaders from across the region will work collaboratively to promote respect and unity, advancing the mission of Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools.
What is the UCS Ambassadors Initiative?
The UCS Ambassadors Initiative is designed to empower young leaders across the MENA region, highlighting their efforts to promote inclusion and respect through sport. Each Ambassador will represent UCS values by serving on a committee of like-minded peers, working on activities that emphasize unity, teamwork, and the power of diverse perspectives. Through virtual and in-person activities, Ambassadors will connect with young leaders from other programs in the region, strengthening connections between other youth involved in UCS while ensuring the impact of our UCS work is highlighted and resonates with existing and new stakeholders within and beyond Special Olympics Middle East. And North Africa.
Why is this initiative important?
This initiative is more than just a leadership opportunity; It is a platform for personal and professional growth, a youth network dedicated to social change, and a way to raise the profile of inclusive communities. UCS Ambassadors will not only develop skills, but will also gain unique access to Special Olympics programs at the local, regional and global levels. By engaging with young people from different backgrounds, they will build relationships and develop mutual understanding – essential ingredients for creating inclusive societies.
UCS Ambassadors will serve for a period of two years, from September 2024 through August 2026. During this period, the Ambassadors will actively contribute to Unified Champions Schools regional events, help shape the direction of UCS initiatives, and provide ongoing feedback to Special Olympics MENA, ensuring that the voices of Youth are key to the program’s development.
Meet the Special Olympics Egypt UCS Ambassadors: Yasmine and Farah, Inclusion Champions
Meet two inspiring UCS Ambassadors: Yasmine Hassan and Farah Wael, passionate advocates for inclusive spaces. Their journeys are a testament to the power of sport, dedication and a shared vision to create inclusive communities. Let’s dive into their stories and find out how they’re making an impact!
Yasmine Hassan: Champion swimmer and strong health advocate
Yasmine Hassan, 20, a second-year student at the Faculty of Languages and Global Studies at the Arab University for Science and Technology in Cairo, has been participating in the Special Olympics Egypt Swimming Championships since she was just 10 years old. Her dedication and talent have earned her more than 80 medals, including three golds at the 2018 Special Olympics Regional Games in Abu Dhabi.
In addition to her athletic accomplishments, Yasmin has also held leadership roles in Special Olympics. From 2021-2022, she served as a member of the Athlete Input Board and attended the 1st and 2nd National Youth Leadership Summits, as well as the 2024 Virtual Global Youth and Educators Summit. As a Messenger of Health, Yasmin’s commitment extends beyond sport; She has participated in numerous health and technology training programs that enable her to be an advocate for health and wellness within her community.
Farah Wael: A dedicated advocate for inclusion
Since joining Special Olympics Egypt in January 2020, Farah, a 25-year-old youth leader, has immersed herself in activities that promote inclusion and inspire youth to dream big. Her experiences at events such as the 2020 African Olympics and Global Youth Leadership Summit 2023 In Berlin she fostered her passion for building inclusive spaces. Growing up in a unified school, Farah witnessed the transformative power of inclusion firsthand, where differently-abled individuals were seen, valued, and celebrated.
Through her advocacy, Farah has worked on impactful projects such as the Al Mizan Project with Yasmine, to raise awareness about unified sports in schools. Her journey took her to television, where she collaborated with Loujain to encourage young people to embrace inclusivity and pursue their dreams. These experiences have inspired Farah to continue her advocacy, working tirelessly to ensure everyone, regardless of their abilities, feels included.
Both Yasmine and Farah embody the UCS mission by promoting unity, respect, and inclusion in their communities. Their collaborative projects, such as the Scale Project, serve as powerful platforms to spread awareness about the importance of inclusive sport and how it can bring people together. As UCS Ambassadors, they lead by example, showing the world the positive change that inclusive communities can create.
Stay tuned as we continue to follow Yasmine and Farah on their journey as UCS Ambassadors, championing inclusivity in sport and beyond!
Meet Angel and Prayer: UCLA Ambassadors are leading the way through inclusion and empowerment
Today, we are pleased to introduce you to two distinguished young leaders from Morocco, Malak Tallawi and Doaa Bandouia. As new ambassadors for Unified Champion Schools, Malak and Douway bring unique experiences, talents and enthusiasm to the mission of creating inclusive and supportive communities. Their dedication to the UCS values and passion for empowering others sets them apart as inspiring role models, and their journeys are sure to motivate others to join the UCS movement.
Malak Talaoui: An enthusiastic youth leader from Marrakesh
At just 13 years old, and soon to be 14, Malak Talaoui is already making an impact in her community in Marrakesh, Morocco. Malak, a student at Al-Araki International School, has been an active participant in UCS events over the past year. Her participation goes beyond just sharing. She has taken charge of organizing children’s sporting activities at UCLA, bringing joy and excitement to the younger participants.
One of Malak’s favorite experiences is organizing soccer matches on her school’s campus, Ethnic Prosperity, and exploring creative arts such as hand painting, where children joyfully draw trees, houses, and skies. Watching the joy of the children participating in these activities was a highlight for her and reinforced her appreciation for the innovative ideas that UCLA brings to life. As a UC Ambassador, Malak is keen to increase local engagement by reaching out to schools and families, and demonstrating the positive impact of UC activities in building inclusive communities. Her passion and practical experience make her an ideal advocate for inclusion, and she hopes to inspire more young people to join the movement.
Doaa Bandouia: a talented sports fan and defender of Rabat
Hailing from the Moroccan capital, Rabat, 17-year-old Douaa Bandouia is a dedicated advocate for inclusion and an active member of AMSAT, which supports people with Down Syndrome. Dowie’s interests are as diverse as they are inspiring – she is passionate about sports, loves to cook, and is a talented theater actress. With her public speaking skills and experience managing a sports team, Dowie brings valuable leadership qualities to her role as a UCS Ambassador.
Doy’s background in theater has given her the confidence to speak to large audiences, and her enthusiasm for UCS comes from her belief that everyone, regardless of ability, deserves to participate in sports and community activities. As an Ambassador, she is ready to use her skills to inspire youth in her community to participate in inclusive activities and demonstrate the value of teamwork, respect and unity. Dowie sees her role as an opportunity to make a positive difference, and motivate others to join the UCS journey.
As UCLA Ambassadors, Malak and Doaa are committed to promoting inclusive spaces where all young people feel valued and empowered. Together they aim to connect with others in their communities, and advocate for greater participation in UCS activities, especially for differently abled young people. Their combined efforts aim to create stronger, more united communities, reflecting the true spirit of UCS.
Meet Al-Muzain Mohammed and Aisha Al-Shehhi: UCLA Ambassadors for Inclusion and Change:
Introducing two inspiring young leaders from the UAE, Al Muzain Mohammed and Aisha Al Shehhi, who are making a splash in their communities as ambassadors for Unified Champion Schools. With a shared commitment to inclusivity and empowerment, Almezain and Aisha bring unique experiences and a deep passion to advocate for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Their journeys with UCS have not only impacted their lives, but also equipped them to lead others toward a more inclusive future.
Al-Muzain Muhammad: From Introvert to Advocate: Seventeen-year-old Al-Muzain Muhammad’s journey with the Unified Champion Schools program began in ninth grade while planning “Integration Festival – Spreading the Word of Integration” and “We Are All Heart Aisha Festival” in 2021. Raised This experience Al-Muzain shared, which led her to join the Unified Robotics and Badminton teams. Through UCS, Al-Muzain found herself transforming from a shy, introverted individual into a confident, outgoing leader. Her newfound friendships and activities at school strengthened not only her relationships with her peers, but also Her relationship with the family.
As a UCLA Ambassador, Almezain is passionate about raising awareness of the challenges faced by people with intellectual disabilities and promoting a more inclusive society. Its advocacy efforts focus on:
- Raising Awareness: Al-Muzayen aims to educate the public and stakeholders about the importance of inclusivity, and highlight the valuable contributions of people with intellectual disabilities.
- Advocating for change: Actively supports policies and practices that improve access and inclusion, and pushes local programs to adopt more supportive measures.
- Leadership and Mentorship: Al-Muzayen hopes to mentor students and staff within UCLA, and inspire deeper engagement in promoting a culture of inclusion and respect.
Aisha Al Shehhi: Call for unity and awareness
Fifteen-year-old Aisha Al Shehhi, an 11th grade student at Aisha Bint Abi Bakr School in Abu Dhabi, experienced the magic of Special Olympics for the first time in ninth grade. During the School Union Day event, Aisha joined Al-Muzayen on a morning radio show, which included reciting a poem for the UCS team. This moment, coupled with a strong sense of unity among her peers, deepened her passion for UCLA. With the support of her teacher, Aisha was soon nominated as a unifying partner alongside Al-Muzayen. Together they planned the teams, organized monthly meetings and led events such as National Day, Flag Day and various school activities. They also led the formation of unified sports teams, including football, badminton and robotics, promoting the school’s spirit of inclusion.
As a UCS Ambassador, Aisha envisions a world where everyone is welcomed and celebrated. Aisha’s role as a UCS Ambassador is about building a stronger, more inclusive community and inspiring positive change across the region.
Together, Almezain and Aisha embody the values of UCS, using their experiences and voices to advocate for inclusive environments and positive change. Through awareness building, policy advocacy, and community engagement, they are committed to creating a world where everyone, regardless of ability, is respected and celebrated.
