United Arab Emirates Children's Parliament: A Beacon of Young National Consciousness with Recommendations and Proposals
The United Arab Emirates Children Parliament exemplifies the nation's unwavering commitment to safeguarding children's rights and promoting their active involvement in issues concerning them and the development of society.
The announcement of the opening of candidate submissions for the "Parliament" in its second session for the period 2023-2025 comes just days after the preliminary list of winners of the 2023 Federal National Council elections was revealed. This reaffirms the UAE's deep interest in empowering children to engage in decision-making through organized dialogue and expression, preparing a generation capable of fulfilling societal roles and actively contributing to community development. The initiative also aims to educate children about their rights and how to defend them, in accordance with the National Strategy for Maternity and Childhood, the Child Protection Law (Wadima), and the International Convention on the Rights of the Child.
The first session of the United Arab Emirates' Children's Parliament demonstrated the strong national awareness and patriotism of the country's young generation. It showcased their ability to actively participate in the development process, positively contributing to the transformations that accompany it. During its sessions, the Children's Parliament presented a series of recommendations. The first inaugural session took place on March 15, 2021, in the Zayed Hall at the headquarters of the Federal National Council. The session commenced with the national anthem, the recitation of Quranic verses, and the reading of a statement by Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, "Mother of the Emirates," President of the General Women's Union, President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation. This statement invited the children of the United Arab Emirates to assemble and was followed by the first procedural session. During this session, the president, elected by acclamation, was chosen. Subsequently, members took their oaths, and the parliament's statute and its governing bodies, including the president, vice president, and rapporteur, were elected.
The first procedural session also saw the formation of parliamentary committees, including the Committee for Legislative and Legal Affairs and Children's Rights, the Committee for Education, Youth, Sports, and Media, and the Committee for Health, Social Affairs, and Labor.
During a session held on November 24, 2021, the Legislative, Legal, and Children's Rights Committee put forward significant proposals and recommendations. This included the establishment of centers for children and adolescents bearing the name "G 71" in all emirates of the country. These centers would involve children in the boards of federal agencies and institutions responsible for children's affairs, empowering children within these councils and developing a mechanism to regulate child membership, defining their responsibilities and powers.
In its session on November 21, 2022, the Children's Parliament recommended the establishment of an environmental and sustainability committee during its second session. This would provide universal health insurance for all children in the country, including the costs of psychological treatment. Furthermore, the parliament proposed setting up a year-round helpline for children's mental health services, ensuring that the call handlers have appropriate skills to assist children with disorders, including children with special needs. Additionally, it called for the creation of a guide for parents, teachers, and caregivers of children with psychological disorders.
On November 25, 2022, the Parliament convened another session in which the Legislative, Legal, and Children's Rights Committee presented several proposals and recommendations. These included waiving patent registration fees for all students under the age of 18, providing suitable resources and guidance for registering inventors' ideas, establishing a department within the Ministry of Economy specialized in supporting children's inventions, and creating specialized centers in each emirate of the country to support and monitor children's inventions while ensuring their rights are protected.
The United Arab Emirates' Children's Parliament comprises 40 members from all emirates of the country, equally divided between men and women, mirroring the Federal National Council's formation. It includes a representative from determined personalities from each emirate. The term for membership lasts two full years, and its sessions take place under the auspices of the Federal National Council.
Eligibility criteria for candidates require them to be Emirati citizens aged 10 to 16, both males and females. They must submit a CV explaining the child's background and interests, a personal photo, a copy of their passport, and a brief video of at least one minute in which they articulate the purpose of their candidacy and the ideas they wish to implement. Furthermore, they must have the ability to communicate in both Arabic and English.