Sharjah Children’s Shura Council seeks public comment

SHARJAH // Emirati children and young adults were invited to voice their concerns and ask questions on national identity and social life in the UAE at this year's third session of the Sharjah Children's Shura Council.
Organised by the Children's Centres Department at the Higher Council for Family Affairs at the Amiri Diwan in Sharjah, children questioned the speakers on the topic of inclusiveness in society and national identity.
Speaker Afaf Al Marri, head of social services in Sharjah, said the event marked a turning point in the UAE where children were openly invited to voice their opinions in such a forum.
"It's important for the children as they learn to ask questions about the things that touch their lives. It prepares them for their future. Perhaps one day they will be real politicians.
"It's good for them to know their rights. It's a new thing for society, allowing people to say their opinions and what they want and knowing someone is listening."
Ms Al Marri said the children gained "a sense of empowerment" from the council and it helped policymakers such as herself.
"It gives us an idea of what they want from the social-services department and it is good for us to have this interaction." She hopes in the coming sessions to cover the topic of child protection.
Speaker Fawzia Taresh Rabiah, director of the department of family development at the Ministry of Social Affairs, said children wanted to know more about these issues, such as being aware of the dangers of the likes of cyber bullying and entrapment, one of the many questions asked yesterday.
She agreed that such forthright discussion marks significant social change. "The children kept badgering me to give them the right answer. They badgered me to give the response they wanted, they weren't just asking a question and then accepting the response. It was beautiful and I was fascinated."
Modernising the teaching of UAE heritage by using tablets and games was an issue that came up, as was the poor quality of Arabic among young Emiratis.
mswan@thenational.ae