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The Arab Parliament for Children is preparing to welcome its members from across the Arab world to Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, for the third session of its fourth term from February 8 to 15. This gathering will focus on cybersecurity and creating child-friendly digital content, addressing one of the most pressing challenges facing children in the digital age.
According to official announcements, the eight-day event will culminate in an official session of the parliament’s advisory council on Saturday, February 14, at the council’s headquarters in Sharjah. The session aims to develop recommendations that promote a safe and positive digital environment for Arab children.
Arab Parliament for Children Addresses Digital Safety
The Arab Parliament for Children session comes as part of ongoing efforts to empower young Arabs and amplify their voices in shaping their future. As the first Arab parliamentary body dedicated to children’s rights and issues, the organization focuses on developing leadership skills, promoting dialogue, and building a generation capable of proposing creative solutions to contemporary challenges.
The program includes various educational and cultural activities designed to enrich members’ experiences. Upon arrival at Sharjah and Dubai international airports, young parliamentarians will participate in field visits and workshops that connect them with local heritage and emerging challenges.
Comprehensive Program Focuses on Cybersecurity Awareness
Members will visit a wheat farm operated by Sharjah’s Agriculture and Livestock Department in the Mleiha area to learn about food security and sustainable agriculture initiatives. Additionally, participants will attend Sharjah Heritage Days in the city center, connecting them with Arab cultural roots and the emirate’s rich traditions.
The cybersecurity component features specialized workshops in partnership with Sharjah Digital Department, according to the program details. These sessions aim to enhance awareness about opportunities and risks in the digital space while equipping young members with tools to protect themselves and their peers online.
Meanwhile, permanent parliamentary committees will hold preparatory meetings at parliament headquarters to draft proposals and working papers ahead of official deliberations. The comprehensive approach ensures that child safety in digital environments remains central to discussions throughout the session.
Educational Milestones and Leadership Development
The week will also witness a graduation ceremony for a new cohort from the Parliamentary Diploma program in collaboration with the University of Sharjah on Thursday, February 12. Following the graduation, organizers will host the “Parliamentarians Forum” to continue building the life and leadership skills of young parliamentarians.
Professor Ayman Othman Al-Barout, Secretary-General of the Arab Parliament for Children, expressed significant optimism about the session’s objectives. He stated that choosing cybersecurity as the focus responds directly to the rapid digital transformation affecting children today, emphasizing the parliament’s mission to prepare Arab children as active and influential citizens.
Al-Barout noted that the session provides a unique platform placing children at the heart of discussions about critical issues, including building a safe digital space that protects their privacy and nurtures their minds. He described it as part of the parliament’s continuous journey to enhance conscious and responsible youth participation in creating a brighter future.
Sheikh Saif bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Assistant Secretary-General of the Arab Parliament for Children, indicated that this session represents a major milestone in building promising leaders. According to his statement, the parliament continues efforts to qualify Arab children with parliamentary and life skills that enable them to represent their nations’ issues with confidence and wisdom.
In contrast to traditional approaches, the program transforms children from passive recipients to active contributors and innovators in their communities. Sheikh Saif emphasized that protecting children in the digital world constitutes an integral part of safeguarding collective futures, describing young members as the most sincere ambassadors capable of carrying messages of progress and innovation.
The editorial and parliamentary bodies will hold coordination meetings to ensure the session’s success. Authorities have not confirmed specific policy outcomes expected from the deliberations, though recommendations will likely address child-friendly content standards and digital protection measures across Arab nations.
