Promoting a culture of political participation is everyone’s responsibility, asserted Her Excellency Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs, in a meeting she held with journalists and representatives of local media organisations.

H.E. Al Kaabi said: “Raising awareness around political issues, promoting a culture of political participation, and educating individuals and segments of society about the political empowerment programme launched by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, is a responsibility shared by all members of society and across all sectors, from academic and media institutions to the family itself.”

Since H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, formed the Government of the Future, H.E. continued, the Ministry of State for Federal National Council Affairs has been developing plans to raise awareness around its pivotal role in coordinating between the executive and legislative authorities to the benefit of the citizens.

H.E. Al Kaabi said that media organisations are strategic partners in spreading political awareness, underlining the Ministry’s keenness to strengthen partnership and cooperation with local media outlets to achieve its objectives. The Ministry’s goals resonate with the directives from the UAE’s wise leadership to encourage political participation in the UAE, H.E. added, which, in turn, serves to create an Emirati citizenry that is informed and capable of playing a role in the country’s sustainable development efforts.

“Our efforts serve to develop innovative ways to develop a culture of political participation among UAE citizens,” H.E. Al Kaabi explained, “as well as to strengthen cooperation between the executive and legislative authorities to spread happiness in the Emirates. Media can play a powerful role in this effort as it provides a means for communicating with the people.”

H.E. Al Kaabi went on to highlight some of the most notable successes of the Ministry of State for Federal National Council Affairs, which include organising the FNC Elections of 2006, 2011, and 2015, as well as developing modern communication channels to reach all segments of society, such as youth and women.

“The Ministry of State for Federal National Council Affairs has developed integrated systems and procedures to coordinate between the executive and legislative authorities in the government,” H.E. Al Kaabi explained; “to that end, we have created organisational units to enhance coordination and trust between the government and the Federal National Council.”