Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Meets with Emirati Children’s Parliament Members
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, met with members of the Emirati Children’s Parliament (ECP) during the first session of the new Federal National Council term in Abu Dhabi on Monday.
During the event, Sheikh Mohammed took photos with the ECP members. The ECP aims to encourage children to be part of decision-making processes, providing them a platform to share their opinions.
The primary objective is to nurture a generation that actively fulfills their social responsibilities and contributes meaningfully to community development and progress. The ECP also educates children about their rights and how to safeguard themselves in line with the National Strategy for Motherhood and Childhood, the Child Protection Law (Wadeema), and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).
Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court, Saqr Ghobash, Speaker of the Federal National Council, and Reem Al Falasi, Secretary General of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, also participated in the meeting.
This meeting coincided with the commencement of the new term of the Federal National Council, which was inaugurated by Sheikh Mohammed. Out of the 40-member Emirati parliamentary group, 20 were elected last month, and the rest were appointed by the Rulers of each emirate.
The council members, half of whom are women, represent the UAE’s population. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, while Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah have six each. Ajman, Fujairah, and Umm Al Quwain have four members each.
Sheikh Mohammed shared on social media, “Today we inaugurated the convening of the new Federal National Council. We had a successful electoral experience and we established a new milestone in the journey of empowerment. Today, the council launches as a supporting, guiding, and assisting authority for the government, conveying the aspirations of the people of the union. May God guide everyone for the good of the country and its people.”
The newly elected council members were chosen from a pool of 298 candidates. Abu Dhabi had the highest number of candidates at 118, followed by Dubai with 57, Sharjah with 50, and Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain, and Fujairah with 21, 34, 14, and 15 candidates respectively.
