Tariq Lootah, undersecretary of the Ministry of State for Federal National Council Affairs, discusses political empowerment. Courtesy of the Ministry of State for FNC Affairs.
Tariq Lootah, undersecretary of the Ministry of State for Federal National Council Affairs, discusses political empowerment. Courtesy of the Ministry of State for FNC Affairs.
Tariq Lootah, undersecretary of the Ministry of State for Federal National Council Affairs, discusses political empowerment. Courtesy of the Ministry of State for FNC Affairs.
Tariq Lootah, undersecretary of the Ministry of State for Federal National Council Affairs, discusses political empowerment. Courtesy of the Ministry of State for FNC Affairs.

Thousands attend launch of new political engagement forum


Haneen Dajani
  • English
  • Arabic

Thousands of students from across the Emirates have attended the launch of a new forum aimed at encouraging greater political engagement.

The initiative, called 'Political Empowerment in the UAE', hopes to persuade young people to take a more active role in helping shape the nation’s future.

The scheme was launched via video link at five different branches of Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) on Monday.

Officials hope it will help kick-start fresh political discourse in time for the Federal National Council elections scheduled to take place later this year.

“This philosophy of empowerment is rooted in the vision to establish the creative environment necessary to enable citizens, especially young people, to become more involved in the various social, political, productive, and intellectual life,” said Ahmed Shabib Al Dhaheri, secretary general of the FNC.

“With that goal in mind, the UAE provides its citizens with incentives to learn, benefit from scientific breakthroughs in all sectors, and be active partners in the decision-making process.”

Tariq Lootah, undersecretary of the Ministry of State for Federal National Council Affairs, also stressed the importance of young people taking part in building the country’s future.

“The youth are a national treasure,” he said. “Their aspirations outline a better future for our country, a future where they carry the torch, continue with the sustainable development efforts, and cement the UAE’s leadership in all sectors.

“We are here today to reiterate our conviction that the youth are the future of political life in the UAE.”

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RESULT

Wolves 1 (Traore 67')

Tottenham 2 (Moura 8', Vertonghen 90 1')

Man of the Match: Adama Traore (Wolves)

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
if you go

Getting there

Etihad (Etihad.com), Emirates (emirates.com) and Air France (www.airfrance.com) fly to Paris’ Charles de Gaulle Airport, from Abu Dhabi and Dubai respectively. Return flights cost from around Dh3,785. It takes about 40 minutes to get from Paris to Compiègne by train, with return tickets costing €19. The Glade of the Armistice is 6.6km east of the railway station.

Staying there

On a handsome, tree-lined street near the Chateau’s park, La Parenthèse du Rond Royal (laparenthesedurondroyal.com) offers spacious b&b accommodation with thoughtful design touches. Lots of natural woods, old fashioned travelling trunks as decoration and multi-nozzle showers are part of the look, while there are free bikes for those who want to cycle to the glade. Prices start at €120 a night.

More information: musee-armistice-14-18.fr ; compiegne-tourisme.fr; uk.france.fr

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Arsenal 1 (Aubameyang 12’) Liverpool 1 (Minamino 73’)

Arsenal win 5-4 on penalties

Man of the Match: Ainsley Maitland-Niles (Arsenal)

MATCH STATS

Wolves 0

Aston Villa 1 (El Ghazi 90 4' pen)

Red cards: Joao Moutinho (Wolves); Douglas Luiz (Aston Villa)

Man of the match: Emi Martinez (Aston Villa)

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