In today's world, power is shifting from nation states to non-state actors: UAE MP

Addis Ababa, 26th March, 2015 (WAM) -- The forces of globalisation and revolutions of Information and communications technology (ICT), sciences and media have transformed the concept of a nation state into a net nation, a UAE woman MP has said. ''Financial, business, commercial, information technology and media networks have determined the real status quo in countries of the world and therefore it is the foreign institutions rather than governments that define management of national economy. Consequently, globalisation has reshaped the balance of power between the states, civil society and markets,'' Dr. Muna Al Bahr, member of the Federal National Council (FNC) told the Women in Parliaments Global Forum (WIP), which commenced at the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. More than 400 female Parliamentarians coming from more than 100 countries are gathering to discuss innovative policies and address the major global challenges that the world faces today. The Agenda of the WIP Summit 2015 "New Leadership for Global Challenges" featured plenary sessions on the post-2015 development agenda and the redefinition of leadership; parallel sessions on entrepreneurship, regional cooperation, health and education; working groups organised by international organisations such as the United Nations or the World Bank; and media training for female Parliamentarians. Speaking at the Plenary Session Panel: The End of Power – Redefining Leadership, Dr. Al Bahr said that businessmen, international organisations, NGOs and media have become key partners to the governments in economic, political, social and security roles. She called for developing new innovative patterns through which states team up with markets and civil society to deal with the new political reality in the world. ''These new models should strike a balance between the political and economic aspects on one hand and the social aspect on the other. Organisers say in the world as we know it today, power is shifting from nation states to non-state actors and from institutions to less formal networks. The exercise of traditional power is constrained as established "big players" are being challenged by "small players." The tools to shape and influence the world have changed with emerging new technologies, allowing people to exercise direct influence. This fast changing environment calls for a new type of flexible, innovative leadership which offers an opportunity for different styles of governance. The UAE MP also participated in a panel on ''Building blocks to a new world: Aligning Post 2015 and Beijing+20 processes,'' organised by UN Women and UNDP. This working group explored the possibilities of streamlining implementation processes of the post 2015 stand-alone goal on Gender Equality with the Actions of the Beijing Platform. This session further explored the role of female Parliamentarians in monitoring and providing stable implementation mechanisms, building on the outcomes of the 59th session of the Commission of the Status of Women conference in New York in March 2015. She also engaged in the Working Group on ''The role of parliamentary networks.'' Dr. Al Bahr also signed The Call to Action which declares 2015 a momentous year for gender equality and women’s empowerment. – Emirates News Agency, WAM – http://www.wam.ae/en/news/emirates/1395278458893.html