KHDA and Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation announce strategic partnership to advance youth leadership

Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) and the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation have signed a strategic cooperation agreement at the World Governments Summit to promote youth leadership development and non-formal learning pathways in Dubai.

The agreement reflects a shared belief that preparing young people for the future requires more than academic achievement alone. It recognises the importance of leadership, resilience, confidence, service, and wellbeing as essential life skills for success in an increasingly complex and rapidly changing world.

Her Excellency Aisha Miran, Director General of KHDA said: “Our vision for education in Dubai is to prepare young people not only for exams, but for life. Through the Education 33 strategy, we are focused on developing confident, capable, and future-ready learners with strong character, leadership skills, and a sense of purpose. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to youth development and to expanding meaningful, internationally recognised non-formal learning opportunities that support young people in reaching their full potential.”

Martin Houghton-Brown, Secretary General of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation said: "We are delighted to be working closely with KHDA to understand how to make sure that every young person, from every background, can develop skills for the challenges and opportunities of life and work in the 21st century. We look forward to learning from Dubai’s young people, their parents and educators over the coming months.”

This partnership brings together the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award’s more than seven decades of global expertise in empowering young people, with KHDA’s Education 33 Strategy, which places strong emphasis on future-ready skills, holistic development, and learner-centric education.

The agreement establishes a framework for strategic dialogue and exploration to strengthen youth leadership, life skills, and character development, aligned with Dubai’s long-term education and human development ambitions.

As part of the partnership, the two organisations will explore ways to promote and position internationally recognised non-formal learning pathways within Dubai’s education ecosystem, while ensuring alignment with local priorities and aspirations.

By working together, both organisations will be listening to Dubai’s youth, their parents and teachers, so that the partnership is driven by their needs and aspirations. Together, the two entities aim to ensure that all of Dubai’s young people have the opportunity to develop the skills, confidence, and leadership essential for success in the modern world.