Arab Parliament for the Child prepares for second session

July 26, 2025 / 11:27 AM

Sharjah24: The Arab Parliament for the Child held the first meeting of its board as part of the fourth parliamentary term at its headquarters in Sharjah, UAE. The meeting was attended by His Excellency Ayman Othman Al Barout, Secretary-General of the Parliament, alongside board members, in preparation for the second session titled “The cultural identity of the Arab child.” The session reaffirms the Parliament's pivotal role in shaping child-led parliamentary dialogue, cultivating participation, and preparing a generation of Arab children to express their aspirations with confidence and responsibility.

Youth-led leadership and preparations

His Excellency Al Barout welcomed the board, praising their active contributions and the strong presence of the Parliament’s president, deputies, and committee heads. Among the attendees were Elyas bin Awadh Al Ma’ani (Oman), Abdullah Yousif Bujeiri (Bahrain), Mai Jalal Abdulaziz (Palestine), Rabia Ibrahim Abu Rumman (Jordan), and Nasser bin Talal Al Husseini (Oman). The meeting focused on planning the upcoming session, centred on strengthening cultural identity and Arab belonging among children, while also reviewing proposals to enhance parliamentary procedures and encourage members’ engagement in discussions and activities.

Parliamentary development and media initiatives

His Excellency Al Barout stressed the board’s responsibility in representing Arab children and called for sustained communication and active idea-sharing. The meeting also celebrated the release of a new issue of The Young Parliamentarian magazine, a platform for children’s voices and parliamentary updates. Progress in the Child Parliamentarian Diploma was also highlighted, having gained wide interest and strengthened participants’ knowledge and skills.

Review of previous terms and future outlook

The board reviewed past sessions, events, and discussions—including collaborations with Sharjah’s Children and Youth Shura Council—and reaffirmed the importance of continuing such initiatives to develop children’s awareness and societal engagement. Emphasis was placed on prioritising children’s mental well-being in future sessions and incorporating related themes into discussions and awareness programmes through specialised workshops.

Committee work and upcoming international participation

The meeting concluded by confirming the continued remote work of the Child Rights and Activities Committees and coordination among members to deliver impactful initiatives. The Parliament is also preparing for its participation in the upcoming International Government Communication Forum in Sharjah—a key platform for sharing experiences and engaging young leaders.