UAE FNC Member: We need more open, transparent political landscape

TOKYO, 28th May, 2015 (WAM) -- Empowering young generations, directing their ideas and channelling their enthusiasm towards democracy remain tremendous challenges that today's world faces, a young UAE MP has said, calling for creating a political environment that is more representative, open, transparent and accountable. Faisal Al Tenaiji, member of the Federal National Council, told the IPU Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians in Tokyo that the significance and severity of these challenges were misunderstood. ''We are all here aware of this critical situation and the urgent need for the youth to participate, a matter that requires significant efforts and focus more than any time before,'' he said, warning of the risks of isolation and discontent which might result in lowering of interest in the democratic process. ''Individuals may not engage in this process if they feel their vote has no value and if they think politicians don't represent them. Isolation of youth may result in mistrust, and more violence and conflicts,'' he cautioned. ''As young MPs, we are responsible for making a difference from our positions of influence and power, and through cooperation, we derive power and inspiration from each other so as to be able to work together within our countries and beyond,'' he said. The Tokyo gathering, he explained, is to conceptualise a vision for adjusting frameworks and mechanisms to absorb not only youth's ideas but also their aspirations for the world they would like to live in. However, the room before them to realise that is limited. If parliaments, he noted, could not become representative, aspirations of young generations would be off limit. According to him, creating a more representative, open, transparent and accountable political environment needs young MPs who are willing to listen, change and innovate in order to establish a model parliament that is responsive and open to new ideas. Concluding his statement, the UAE MP encouraged fellow MPs to present an insightful vision for peaceful, positive transformation and change for all. The IPU conference in Tokyo brings together young MPs from around the world to identify solutions to key global issues that impact heavily on youth. More than 220 young MPs, including 69 women, will attend the IPU Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians at the Japanese parliament, the National Diet, on 27 and 28 May. The Conference is an annual global youth-led political platform to define policies and action to tackle the challenges faced by young people. The focus of the Tokyo conference will be on democracy, peace and prosperity. Statistics show that young people are suffering a disproportionate and worsening impact in the global financial and economic crisis, and are significantly more likely than the rest of the adult population to be unemployed. The Conference, jointly organised by IPU and the National Diet of Japan, was attended by the Speakers of both Japanese Houses of Parliament, Tadamori Oshima and Masaaki Yamazaki, the President of IPU, Saber Chowdhury of Bangladesh and the Secretary General of IPU, Martin Chungong. Issues under the spotlight will include the continuing impact of the economic crisis and ways of working towards young people’s vision of a prosperous world. The MPs will examine how they can empower their peers to address the socio-economic challenges they are facing. With UN figures suggesting that 600 million young people are living in conflict zones, and amid growing concerns over the engagement of youth in violent extremism, the role of young people in eliminating violence and conflict will also be explored. Special attention will be paid to the issue of violence against youth, including young women and girls. The event is part of IPU’s work to increase youth political participation and input into decision-making, backed by its Forum of Young Parliamentarians – a youth-led permanent international structure which brings together young legislators from all around the world. IPU believes it is crucial for young people to be fully engaged in the democratic process, and to be better represented in the world’s parliaments. IPU statistics show that in 2014 only 1.7% of the world’s MPs were aged under 30. Five years ago IPU adopted a major resolution on Youth Participation in the Democratic Process, calling for fresh action from states, parliaments, political parties and other relevant groups to draw more young people into the formal democratic process. The Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians will renew this world commitment for youth in politics. - Emirates News Agency, WAM – http://www.wam.ae/en/news/emirates/1395281122880.html