‘Voice of hope’ for Arab kids finds new home
sharjah — When His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, inaugurated the headquarters of the Arab Children’s Parliament (ACP) on Sunday, he opened not just a building but “a bridge” towards a brighter, more promising future for the Arab youth.
Ahmed Aboul Gheit, SecretaryGeneral of the Arab League who attended the ACP headquarters’ opening in Dasman, said he is “confident that the platform will serve as a bridge where Arab children can flourish and can be educated”.
“Its main goal is to inculcate the values and concepts of democracy and respect for one another,” Gheit added.
Established as part of the International Convention on the Rights of the Child, the ACP is a coalition of 12 to 16-year-olds from 14 Arab countries. They were either directly appointed or elected by their national parliaments or similar assemblies. The ACP aims to empower the youth, get them involved in nation-building, and address the challenges faced by Arab children.
It is the first time that the ACP’s headquarters will be based outside Egypt, a move that was welcomed by all — considering that Sharjah is known to be the most prominent child-friendly city in the world.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Gheit stressed that in the face of challenges that thousands of Arab children have to live with, the Arab League stands with the youth.
“I call on the Arab parliament to prioritise this issue as it is one of the most important issues that threaten not just the Arab national security, but also the structure of the Arab family and the future of Arab societies,” Gheit said.
The suffering of the children who live under occupation in Palestine, in particular, is a reality that no one must forget, he added. “The Palestinian child is deprived not only of his basic human rights but of his simple right to live in a place he can call a homeland — safe from fear, air raids, repression and siege. The Palestinian community is still capable of challenging and insisting on education. Even illiteracy rates in Palestine are among the lowest in the Arab world.”
A young parliamentarian, who represents Palestine, vowed to be both the voice and the role model of the region’s youth.
“We are the children who will make this parliament our voice, our pulse and our way to success and we will make it a beautiful home for Arabism, peace and harmony. We will build a solid foundation for an Arab generation that will carry out its duties towards its people and society with all responsibility and respect,” said Tamar Sami Mutair, Palestine’s representative to the ACP.
“We are the children of the Arabs. We promise you to remain the faithful sons of you and to be the voice of hope and ambition.”
You are with your parents, brothers and sisters who are ready to provide you with all that you need to perform your duties.”
Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah
I call on the Arab parliament to prioritise the challenges faced by the youth as it is one of the most important issues that threaten the future of Arab societies.”
Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary-General, Arab League
The ACP is set to implement an ambitious plan that would draw inspiration from all the experiences, expertise and initiatives of the emirate of Sharjah.” Ayman Othman Barout, Secretary-General, ACP