Culture & Education | Saturday 22 October, 2016 4:01 am |

“My sister, my mother and my teacher makes me stronger” was the children’s unanimous call at the much anticipated third session of the 14th Sharjah Children Council (SCC) which took centre-stage yesterday (Wednesday) during the second edition of ‘Investing in the Future’ (IIFMENA) conference in Sharjah. Under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah and Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs, the 3rd SCC session, organised by the Sharjah Children Centres, was chaired by Jamila Hassan Al Zaabi, Chairperson of the SCC; with support of Rashid Saif Al Teniji, First Vice Chairperson; Hessa Jassim Saleh, Second Vice Chairperson; and Ali Mohammed Serour, Council Secretary.

 

Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi greeted the 69 children members of the SCC, who took pride in using the 3rd session as a strategic platform to reflect Her Highness’s vision in building a stronger future for young women in the UAE and all over the world. Emerging from the theme, ‘We are Stronger with Her’, the meeting addressed issues of inclusion and empowerment, highlighting the pivotal roles that young girls and women play in various aspects of community life.

 

Officially launched by Jamila Hassan Al Zaabi, the session experienced a turnout of 69 children members of the SCC, as well as key personalities and guests who attended to participate at the 3rd session’s discussion agenda. It was attended by Her Excellency Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs, Her Excellency Khawla Abdul Rahman Al Mulla, Chairperson of the Sharjah Consultative Council, CEO of the Family Development Centre at the Supreme Council for Family Affairs, Reem BinKaram, Director of the Sharjah Children Centres and a number of local media staff.

 

HE Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs, delivered a keynote speech in which she stressed that children are important agents of change in society, and that the Ministry is always keen to provide them with knowledge and skills that empower them politically in alignment with the aspirations of the UAE.

 

“Sharjah Children Council is a leading initiative that contributes to developing the future generations’ dialoguing skills, which aid them in addressing and solving important issues. Their choice of innovations as the key theme for the current edition of the council is commendable, as it will children on the importance of using innovation towards achieving the big goals UAE has set themselves for the empowerment of women,” she said.

 

HE Khawla Al Mulla, said; “We are witnessing – at the Sharjah Children Council – a group of young adults who will build our nation’s bright future because of their innovative and intellectual decisions that will truly shape up a forward-thinking society. Their role is to shape their dreams and follow their ambitions, and to take advantage of all the services and facilities which Sharjah provides to support their needs and elevate their intellect making them a role model for other children across the world.”

 

Guests engaged with children council members in discussing the role of children in providing young and adult women with the support they need to increase their self-confidence, by highlighting their iconic strengths and creativities which have built many societies in the past. They also threw light on the significance of educating the future generations on the role of women as an integral part of society.

 

Reem BinKaram, Director of the Sharjah Children Centres, said, “The third session of the 14th SCC offered a unique insight into the need of advancement of women and girls through a collaborative and inspirational session such as this one. Because this topic is one of the most debated topic worldwide, we have managed to spread awareness about it covering all segments of society, especially children. The 3rd session empowered children to participate and partake in the awareness-spreading process of this topic, placing them at the forefront of the solution to the cause. The Sharjah Children Centres recognises such efforts are catalysts that enable children to realise their part of society’s decision-making process. It provides them a great impetus to succeed and contribute to strengthening women’s position in society.”

 

The 3rd session was concluded with SCC children members calling out on the support and empowerment of young women in the UAE and all around the world, reinforce women all over the world with incentives and facilities similar to what the UAE provides enabling them leading positions in society and state.