ABU DHABI // The Government is preparing initiatives to improve the relationship between the Cabinet and the Federal National Council.
Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of State for FNC Affairs, said on Wednesday that one initiative will relate to young people’s political awareness and engagement.
“The youth are a main factor in this operation, most of them assist us with organising the electoral process,” said Ms Al Kaabi, adding that further details would be announced soon.
“Those are the people we should be listening to.”
Her comments came after a youth retreat this week in which young people exchanged ideas for a future agenda.
“They help the ministry with their ideas and participation, because if I meet young people in a retreat today, after three years some of them might be members of the council – and if not, they will empower it,” Ms Al Kaabi said.
She suggested that the council’s seats for appointed members could be allocated to elected ones in the future. Half of FNC members are appointed.
“History speaks for itself,” she said. “Since the beginning of 2006 until the last elections, we have witnessed development, expansion and an upgrade in the process.
“We always look at how the beginning of anything was, and our plans were all calculated.”
When asked about the possibility of ministers attending FNC sessions through video conferences rather than in person, Ms Al Kaabi said: “Ministers are always interested in any question, issue or law discussed at the council.”
She addressed a question about a perceived lack of presence of members in the field, saying some members were active on social media, which helps everyone become involved in discussions.
“There are important visits conducted in real life, but there are also many sessions that some members conduct in the virtual world,” Ms Al Kaabi said.
“There are members who are active on social media like Twitter, and Saeed Al Remeithi [Abu Dhabi] has a significant presence on Snapchat.”
The FNC will resume sessions next month after a break that started on June 15.
hdajani@thenational.ae