• Event to take place on September 3 at United Arab Emirates University • Forum aims to boost youth participation in 2019 Federal National Council elections
The National Election Committee (NEC) today revealed the agenda of the eighth Political Awareness Forum, organized in collaboration with the Ministry of State for Federal National Council (FNC) Affairs and the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU).
The event aims to encourage the active participation of young people in the upcoming fourth cycle of FNC elections through highlighting their influential role in the success of the electoral process and enhancing their political awareness.
Scheduled to take place on September 3 at the Al Ain campus of UAEU, the agenda will include two sessions. In the first, His Excellency Tariq Hilal Lootah, Undersecretary of the Ministry of State for FNC Affairs and Chairman of the Election Management Committee, will address the management aspect of the elections. Meanwhile, Dr Aqil Kazim, Chair of the Department of Sociology at UAEU, will elaborate on the role of students in the elections.
His Excellency Dr Saeed Mohammed Al-Ghafli, Assistant Undersecretary for Federal National Council Affairs at the Ministry of State for Federal National Council Affairs, will headline the second session and discuss the political empowerment program launched by the UAE President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan in 2005. Also joining him on stage will be Ahlam Saeed Al Lamaki, Head of Research and Development at the General Women’s Union. She will offer key insights on the 50:50 election campaign of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairperson of the General Women’s Union, Supreme Chairperson of the Family Development Foundation, and Chairwoman of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood.
Speaking on the event, His Excellency Tariq Hilal Lootah said: “The Political Awareness Forum is a milestone of every election cycle and a key platform to raise political awareness among university students. Over the years, it has also evolved into a sounding board for young people to share their thoughts and ideas. Youth forms the majority of the electoral college, and we look forward to its active participation in the electoral process.”
For his part, His Excellency Professor Mohamed Albaili, Vice Chancellor of UAEU, stressed the significance of the collaboration with the Ministry of State for FNC Affairs in shaping the political minds of young people as leaders of the future in line with the nation’s political empowerment directive. He also praised the forum for broadening the horizons of university students.