Arab Parliament for Child shapes future with confidence

After an innovative parliamentary experience during the first session in February, where they participated in free elections and lively discussions, Arab children demonstrated remarkable awareness and a unique ability to express their issues and think of realistic solutions based on their environments and needs.

Through various contributions, several members from different Arab countries shared their personal experiences and impressions about what they learned and their readiness for the upcoming session in July. They affirmed that their journey marks a true beginning for a leadership path that blends childhood with wisdom and dreams with responsibility.

Farida Mohammed Magdy, a member from Egypt, described her participation in the first session as inspiring on all levels, stating: "We had a rich experience where we learned the importance of teamwork." She emphasised that the cultural diversity among members provided a real opportunity to learn from each other's experiences, deepening their understanding of shared issues affecting Arab children.

She highlighted that participating in the parliamentary elections added much to her, as she learned to express her opinions confidently, respect others, and engage in dialogue with responsibility and awareness.

Abdullah Boujiri, a member from Bahrain and the parliament's first deputy president, described his first session experience as rich and impactful. He noted it provided him with leadership opportunities and reinforced the values of dialogue and democracy. Boujiri stated that winning the deputy president position was both a challenge and a motivation to strive for excellence, affirming that the Arab Children Parliament serves as a true incubator for honing skills and instilling parliamentary awareness.

Regarding the upcoming session, Boujiri emphasised its importance as a continuation of meaningful discussions and an opportunity to formulate ideas and proposals that enhance the cultural identity of Arab children. He believes that good preparation and consultation among members are key to the success of any session.

He pointed out that members' responsibilities extend beyond the session's time frame, influencing reality through awareness of children's rights, community participation, and quality initiatives that ensure a supportive environment for children.

Nayalan Shahwan, a member from Lebanon, poetically expressed his vision of his parliamentary experience, saying, "My ribs extended to them as a strong bridge..." indicating his love for the Arab homeland. He added that the Arab Children Parliament provided him with a humanitarian space before being a political platform, uniting twenty-two Arab countries under one banner aimed at qualifying childhood and crafting a bright future.

Nayalan stated that his participation in the first session was a pivotal experience that equipped him with many skills, which are now part of his daily personality, including self-confidence, public speaking skills, clear expression, critical thinking, and a sense of responsibility towards others. He noted that these skills directly reflected on his behavior in school and social relationships, emphasising that what he learned in parliament is more than words; it is a new inner voice that constantly drives him to seek justice and dignity for every deprived child.

He asserted that the Arab Parliament for Child is a genuine opportunity to formulate actionable recommendations that stem from children's voices and reach Arab decision-makers. He noted that his experience in the parliament was not just a transient phase but transformed into a lifelong project that he will carry into his academic and professional future.

Dina Benimani, a member from Morocco, described her participation in the first session as a transformative experience, stating that it helped enhance her personality and build her awareness of the importance of her representative role. She said the most significant value she gained was the ability to communicate positively and interact with peers from diverse cultures, in addition to taking responsibility and working as a team.

She added that this experience solidified her confidence in her ability to articulate issues concerning Arab childhood and convey children's voices in a thoughtful and respectful manner. She views the upcoming second session as a new phase for deepening dialogue and exchanging experiences, expressing her readiness through continuous research and learning from successful initiatives to formulate a clear vision that serves the session's content and supports the proposed recommendations.

Yasin Mohammed, a member from Iraq, reflected on the impact of his parliamentary experience, emphasizing that it brought about a fundamental transformation in his character, significantly developing his awareness, behaviors, and skills. He stated, "I felt I transformed from an ordinary child into a leader carrying the responsibility of millions of children," becoming more aware of his role in defending their rights and representing them effectively.

He indicated that the first session experience served as a preparatory phase, enabling him to appreciate the importance of accepting others and respecting diversity, which made him more empathetic and understanding. He discussed his significant development in negotiation, persuasion, and public speaking skills, and how his parliamentary participation positively impacted his performance in speech competitions and debates, leading to quality field initiatives like the "Lunch Table with Cancer Patients" project to discuss their rights and emotional participation.

Regarding the upcoming second session, Yasin described it as an "anticipated event" and an opportunity to apply what they learned theoretically and practically. He mentioned unconventional preparation methods, such as creating mind maps and training his mind to analyze and formulate practical solutions. He also conducted field surveys with his peers at school about children's rights to gather insights that reflect the realities of childhood in his community.

He affirmed that his future role extends beyond attending sessions; he aims to be a consistent and influential voice for children in his country and the Arab region. He stated, "I will use my parliamentary platform to amplify the voices of marginalised children to decision-makers, and I will lead new initiatives whenever doors close on another."

These testimonies from members of the Arab Parliament for Child confirm that the parliamentary experience is a true school of empowerment and qualification, contributing to building tomorrow's leaders and bringing forth voices capable of expression, making an impact, and contributing to building their communities.