Ras Al Khaimah:Building on over a decade of dedication to educational advancement within correctional facilities, the Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi Foundation for Policy Research organized a conference titled 'Education in Prison Bridging Policy and Practice' on November 4-5, 2026. The event gathered 25 regional and international stakeholders, including government officials, representatives from correctional and rehabilitation institutions, judicial authorities, and experts in education and rehabilitation.
According to Emirates News Agency, the two-day policy dialogue, organized in collaboration with UNESCO and the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL), delved into the role of education in rehabilitation and successful societal reintegration. The discussions aimed to explore opportunities to enhance quality learning pathways within correctional settings across the Arab region and beyond.
The initiative aligns with the Foundation's longstanding partnership with the Ras Al Khaimah Correctional Facility, which includes the development of a prison library recognized by UNESCO UIL for best practice in 2026. This reflects the Foundation's commitment to translating research and institutional partnerships into substantial educational opportunities and lasting community impact.
Dr. Natasha Ridge, Executive Director of the Al Qasimi Foundation, emphasized the transformative power of education in her opening remarks, highlighting the Foundation's journey from establishing a prison library to delivering over 150 courses to more than 5,000 inmates since 2011. The dialogue brought together regional and international expertise to reinforce the Foundation's commitment to bridging research, policy, and practice, and advancing meaningful impact in Ras Al Khaimah and beyond.
The event featured a workshop led by Miguel Rivera Donoso on evolving prison libraries into inclusive learning spaces and a roundtable facilitated by Dr. Matthias Eck of UNESCO, which examined barriers to expanding prison education across the GCC. Discussions on the second day focused on translating policy into practice, with government representatives exploring the role of public institutions in strengthening prison education and rehabilitation.
The dialogue underscored the importance of institutional collaboration, international knowledge exchange, and evidence-informed approaches to advancing prison education. It reaffirmed the Al Qasimi Foundation's commitment to education as a pathway to rehabilitation and successful reintegration into society, with a focus on creating meaningful, lasting impact in Ras Al Khaimah, the Arab region, and beyond.