Dubai In commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the Federal National Council (FNC), speakers at a symposium titled ‘The FNC from establishment to empowerment' emphasized that the FNC has played a crucial role in ensuring a better life for UAE citizens and helped in achieving the national goals.
Experts called for greater involvement of UAE citizens in different activities conducted by members of the House.
Dr Mohammad Al Mazroui, secretary-general of the FNC since 1996, spoke about the establishment of the FNC and the philosophy that governs it.
Al Mazroui said that the FNC's founding philosophy owed itself to Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan's vision for citizens' participation in the national political discourse and a better life for UAE citizens.
He also recalled how issues discussed by the FNC have changed greatly from topics that were discussed at the time of its inception. He said the FNC focused on "building the country" in the beginning, providing services like housing for those with limited incomes and enabling UAE locals to work in the private sector.
Constant growth
In its later years, Al Mazroui said, the FNC had focused on improvement of services already provided to citizens with a view to ensuring they matched international standards. He termed it a story of "constant growth".
Dr Maryam Sultan Lootah, assistant professor of Political Science at UAE University, addressed the "empowerment" aspect of the FNC.
She said that some people misinterpret the term empowerment as just the enabling of the youth or women, for instance, in reaching a decision-making position. She said that "real empowerment is helping the most competent man or woman reach a decision-making position".
She explained that being competent means having more experience, knowledge, adaptability and being balanced — qualities that "push the process of empowerment forward".
Dr Maryam added that the most important trait that an FNC member should possess is a high sense of responsibility towards the people of the UAE.
Mohammad Al Hammadi, editor-in-chief of National Geographic Al Arabiya, who covered FNC meetings for 10 years and under four different heads of the council, was among the speakers.
Role of media
Al Hammadi spoke about the role of the media in empowering the FNC. He explained that the media is considered the watchdog that makes sure the Council does its job. He suggested that there could be a ‘parliamentary television channel or newspaper' or specific local TV programming dedicated to the activities of the FNC so that the public would understand the importance and activities of the FNC. He also brought up the role of the social media such as Twitter and Facebook and how they can be employed to educate people to bring about an increase in the numbers of electors in future.
