The Ministry of State for Federal National Council Affairs (MFNCA) is preparing to host the fifth “Building Political Awareness for University Students Forum” in collaboration with the United Arab Emirates University on November 7, 2016, in Al Ain. Bearing the theme “The Youth and Building the Future”, this year’s edition comes on the heels of the success achieved by the previous instalments of the event in bolstering political participation among university students. The Forum consists of two sessions taking place in the span of one day. The first session, titled “Youth and Political Participation in the UAE”, will examine the methods applied by the Federal National Council to handle youth issues, and to empower them through political participation. Meanwhile, the second session – “Youth and the Future Strategy of the UAE” – underlines the role that the higher education system plays in building and developing a knowledge economy. Her Excellency Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs, said: “The fifth ‘Building Political Awareness for University Students Forum’ builds on the successes of the previous editions of the event, organised by the Ministry of State for Federal National Council Affairs in accordance with the general directives of the UAE Government. The country’s leadership places great emphasis on the youth and spares no effort in preparing them to become the leaders of tomorrow. This year’s edition touches on novel themes in order to raise awareness among the youth and better equip them to play a part in formulating plans and strategies for the future of the UAE.” H.E. went on to explain that the Ministry hopes this Forum will spike university students’ interest in politics and public affairs, and introduce them to the parliamentary process in the UAE. “Enhancing political participation among the UAE’s youth is top priority for the Ministry,” H.E. Al Kaabi said. “We consider it of utmost importance to raise awareness among all segments of society regarding the importance of political participation. This is where programmes and initiatives like this Forum come in; they serve to encourage the youth to play a bigger part in the sustainable development of the UAE.” Meanwhile, Dr. Ali Rashid Al Noaimi, Chancellor of the United Arab Emirates University, lauded this cooperation between the Ministry of State for Federal National Council Affairs and the United Arab Emirates University to raise political awareness among university students. “The youth should be at the core of any effort to build the future of the country,” Dr. Al Noaimi noted. “The Forum plays a pivotal role in the establishment of a culture of political participation among students. Previous editions of the Forum successfully educated students about the basics of political participation in the UAE.” Dr. Al Noaimi added: “We are looking forward to larger participation and more sophisticated topics during this year’s Forum, in order to keep up with current developments. It is crucial that we concentrate on national, Pan-Arab, and international issues, and to develop innovative responses to deal with them and to establish an active and positive political culture that adheres to the traditions of UAE society.”