Dubai, April 22, 2018 – The Ministry of State for Federal National Council (FNC) Affairs has organised a meeting with the heads of student councils at the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) in Dubai in an effort to promote political participation and empower a generation of leaders to carry on with the development boom taking place across the UAE.
Held in collaboration with the HCT, the meeting drew more than 100 students, and was attended by His Excellency Dr Saeed Al Ghafli, the Ministry’s Assistant Undersecretary for FNC Affairs, and HCT Director Dr Abdullatif Al Shamsi.
The meeting sought to introduce the student councils to the work done by the Ministry of State for Federal National Council Affairs, as well as to spread a culture of political participation, educate the youth about the UAE’s parliamentary system, and introduce them to the political empowerment programme, launched by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE. The objectives of the meeting also cover reviewing the young students’ proposals and listening to their ideas.
H.E. Dr Saeed Al Ghafli said: “Promoting political participation among young people is one of our main priorities at the Ministry of State for Federal National Council Affairs. These meetings are an ideal platform for creating channels of direct communication to educate the youth and motivate them to actively participate in the UAE’s sustainable development. They are the leaders of tomorrow, and they have a responsibility to build a bright future for our country.”
“Political participation is an integral part of the vision and strategies of our wise leadership, and the political empowerment programme has established this value by empowering the Federal National Council to support the executive authority, and act as a platform through which citizens’ issues can be brought to the attention of decision makers,” H.E. added.
For his part, Dr Abdul Latif Al Shamsi said: “The UAE’s leadership believes in the youth and in their potential to excel in all sectors, including politics, and be a part of the decision-making process. Our leaders’ pioneering approach in appointing young ministers is testament to their confidence in this segment of our society – the future leaders of our country.”
Dr Al Shamsi lauded the continuous cooperation between the Higher Colleges of Technology and the Ministry of State for FNC Affairs, which included engaging college students as volunteers within electoral centres during previous FNC elections, and inviting them to several Council sessions. Furthermore, the HCT collaborated with the Council to include “Political Participation” in its curriculum.
The meeting discussed the objective from establishing the Ministry of State for FNC Affairs in 2006 to coordinate between the government and the Federal National Council, thus enhancing effective cooperation between the legislative and executive branches of the government to the benefit of the country and its citizens. The meeting also focused on the FNC’s role in identifying citizens’ needs and addressing them.
The discussions also touched on the three successful elections the UAE has already held, which took place in 2006, 2011, and 2015, where the country’s exemplary parliamentary system caught regional and international interest.