The end of the latest session of the Federal National Council is a moment to look back at the council’s discussions and achievements over the past few months. The most media-friendly law was the one related to possession of wild animals, if only because of the perennial news stories of lions or other big game spotted around the streets of Dubai.
The FNC was reacting to genuine concern among Emiratis, expressed through social media and in direct discussions with citizens. That is a good way for the FNC to function, through conversations with the public.
Of course individual FNC members remain close to the people they represent in their emirates, and most hold frequent majilis to hear the issues they need to discuss in the chamber. But as society changes, so must the ways that members connect.
That’s why the app developed by FNC Dubai member Azza bin Suleiman is so important. It allows the public to send messages and videos to Ms Suleiman on topics they would like to see discussed. It is a good step and one that, once the app is fully functional, could perhaps be used more broadly at the FNC.
The way people connect with politicians is changing, with many far more comfortable sending a tweet or a Snapchat video than even writing an email. Particularly for the younger generation, attending a majlis to speak to an FNC member may well be something they would never contemplate. The FNC, therefore, must react and go where the public is.
The app represents a new way for the public to talk to FNC members and even hold them to account. They can raise topics and if those topics are not discussed, the public can ask why.
More broadly, this back-and-forth also contributes to political literacy, an understanding among the public of how the process of FNC discussions actually works. Most of the public, after all, will never set foot in the building on the capital’s Corniche – but through innovative technology, their concerns can make it into the chamber.
