Bodour Al Qasimi Chairs Kalimat Foundation Board Meeting To Set Strategic Roadmap For 2026

H.H. Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, the Founder and Chairperson of Kalimat Foundation, led a Board of Trustees meeting to review 2025 achievements and outline the vision for 2026. The Foundation remains dedicated to empowering children with knowledge and ensuring their right to access books globally.

The Board highlighted major accomplishments from 2025, including a collaboration with Canon to create an experience for visually impaired individuals to "feel images." This initiative marked significant progress in promoting knowledge equity. Additionally, the first phase of inclusive accessible books was launched.

In 2025, Kalimat Foundation expanded its "Pledge a Library" initiative, reaching underserved communities worldwide. The Foundation donated 4,600 Arabic-language books across 46 portable libraries in eight countries: Brazil, Comoros, Morocco, Greece, the UK, Uganda, and Portugal. This effort underscores their commitment to equitable access to knowledge.

Sheikha Bodour emphasised that accessible publishing is central to the Foundation’s mission. She described it as a sustainable empowerment model rather than a temporary fix. "Accessible publishing reimagines the child’s relationship with reading, education and life," she stated.

Kalimat Foundation continues evolving its programmes to empower children intellectually. Access to knowledge enables them to protect their rights and contribute to community development. Sheikha Bodour noted that investment in knowledge is one of the most profound forms of support for children and their communities.

The Board discussed Kalimat Foundation's vision for 2026, focusing on expanding accessible publishing and developing inclusive content. Strengthening partnerships locally and internationally is also a priority to reach children in diverse environments.

Humanitarian Initiatives

The "Pledge a Library" initiative deepened its humanitarian presence by supporting Arab children in hospitals and treatment centres. It also aided Palestinian children through Emirates Humanitarian City and underprivileged students in UAE charity schools. A library restoration project took place in Ifrane, Morocco.

The Foundation organised reading workshops and training courses for blind and visually impaired children under the "Ara" initiative. This programme aims to enhance their reading skills using braille, large print, audiobooks, and EPUB3 books.

Strategic Vision for 2026

The strategy for 2026 prioritises empowering families and fostering a culture of reading through community programmes. It also focuses on advancing innovation in cultural philanthropy and expanding specialised research initiatives.

The meeting was attended by notable figures such as Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid Al Qasimi (Vice Chairperson), Sheikh Fahim bin Sultan bin Khalid Al Qasimi (Treasurer), Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi (Secretary-General), among others.

This gathering highlighted the Board's crucial role in guiding the Foundation's strategic direction. Their efforts ensure the sustainability of its humanitarian impact while enhancing its global standing as an institution empowering children through knowledge.

With inputs from WAM