ABU DHABI // A lack of opportunity to be involved in politics across the Arab world is leading the young to join extremist groups, a Federal National Council member has claimed.
At the Inter-Parliamentary Union’s first Youth Parliament Forum this month, Faisal Al Teneiji, an elected member from Ras Al Khaimah, urged Arab nations to promote political participation among the young.
To achieve this, he said, participation should be reflected socially, culturally and economically.
He said that in the Arab world, illiteracy among youth had reached 27 per cent, “which means that those people in a social perspective are not qualified for serious political participation”.
Although young people have taken part in protests or political objections, he said it was mostly aimed at getting direct financial benefits.
“Also, some of them are not aware of the meaning of responsible freedom, which means to be free until your freedom intrudes someone else’s freedom,” he said.
He said of the 57 million Arab youths who were unemployed and struggled to meet their daily necessities, many still questioned the governing regime over every decision.
As a result some may reach for extremists views, or political extremism.
“This may be one of the reasons leading to the spread of extremist groups and violence in many of the Arab countries,” he said.
He said a number of international studies found that Arab youths had no intention of becoming involved in politics permanently.
“Most care more about the economy,” he said. “And their political participation is directly linked to financial benefits.”
He said that Arab countries faced a number of other challenges when it came to political participation, including a large generation gap between those in charge and those who were protesting, a lack of preparation available for youth to take part politically, and sidelining participation and only using it in times of crisis.
To counter challenges, Mr Al Teneiji suggested that young people should start taking part in political discussions with family, friends and at work on the record, rather than in private.
Young people must also be aware of political changes and plans set by the government, to close the generation gap and build trust. He said youth should take part in national elections and have a venue where they could express political demands.
“In the UAE we have a strong belief in the importance of the role of youth and their effect in shaping the future,” he said. “And that is why the country’s policies are built on the importance of developing youth’s abilities.”
He said that the UAE has set up a number of incentives for youth to encourage creativity and economic and political involvement, including the Sheikh Khalifa Fund.
“Political participation cannot come from political and government planning, but has to be reflected socially, economically and culturally,” he said.
Much to Mr Al Teneiji’s surprise, he was elected president of the IPU Youth Parliament Forum for a two-year term.
Formed following a recommendation made by the FNC in 2010, the forum brings together parliamentarians under the age of 45.
It was not the first time the FNC had made international strides. In 2012, Ahmed Al Jarwan, a fellow FNC member, was elected to become the Speaker of the Arab Parliament.
osalem@thenational.ae
