Hundreds of FNC members have come and gone, all chosen or elected to mirror Emirati society.
The most notable change over that time, says Dr Mohammed Al Mazroui, a former member and the council's secretary general for 15 years, is the increasing level of education of its members.
That, too, mirrors the nation as a whole.
The simplicity of life in the 1970s made experience a better qualification for membership than did education.
"Now we have development in education in the UAE. Now members are more educated," Mr Al Mazroui said. "We cannot say they were worse before, but now life is more complex."
And the members with greater levels of education, many with strong skills in areas such as research, can tackle more complex issues, he said.
But of the current batch of members, the women have yet to step up, said Ali Jassim, a veteran member from Umm Al Qaiwain. None has yet asked a question of a minister.
"I told them to participate," Mr Jassim said. "There must be more participation and collaboration between the two."
He believes matters will change as members become more confident and work better together.
osalem@thenational.ae
