Abu Dhabi:H.H. Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Founder and CEO of Kalimat Group, has inaugurated the third edition of the Horouf and Kalimat - Early Childhood Literacy Conference 2026 at ERTH Abu Dhabi. This marks the first time the conference is being held in the UAE capital since its inception.
According to Wam, the conference, organized by Kalimat Group in partnership with the National Academy for Childhood Development, is supported by the Ministry of Education and IFA Hotels and Resorts. The Sharjah Private Education Authority and the ZAI Centre for Arabic Language Research at Zayed University are also partners in this initiative.
Scheduled from October 30th to November 1st, the conference will host 50 academics, researchers, and educators. It features four keynote presentations, 14 panel discussions, 13 interactive workshops, and a certified course in the Science of Reading. The event will focus on teacher training, educational leadership, family involvement in early learning, and the quality of Arabic children's books.
In her opening speech, H.H. Sheikha Bodour emphasized the importance of empowering children through their mother tongue, highlighting the need for collaboration among families, teachers, and educational institutions. She stressed that the success of education is not just in literacy but also in fostering a strong relationship between children and their language.
Dr. Meera Al Kaabi, Acting President of the National Academy for Childhood Development, spoke about the significance of investing in early childhood literacy to develop strong Arabic language skills. She mentioned the importance of collaboration among stakeholders and the exchange of best practices.
The opening ceremony included a panel discussion on the UAE's role in supporting Arabic language learning in early childhood, featuring various educational leaders. Discussions focused on strengthening Arabic education through policy, teacher training, and family-school cooperation.
H.H. Sheikha Bodour also explored educational resources and honored key partners and sponsors for their support of the conference and early childhood Arabic education. The event aims to advance early childhood Arabic education and facilitate expertise exchange across the UAE.