UAE | General
Review of Gulf political systems 'vital'
It has become imperative to conduct an overall review of the Gulf political and societal systems, to invigorate and develop them and to consolidate the principles of Shura (consultations), and the rule of law and justice, Her Highness Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak said on Tuesday.
- By Samir Salama, Associate Editor
- Published: 00:01 April 2, 2008
- Dr Amal Al Qubaisi (pictured) delivers the speech on behalf of Shaikha Fatima on the second day of the conference in Abu Dhabi.
- Image Credit: Ravindranath/Gulf News
Abu Dhabi: It has become imperative to conduct an overall review of the Gulf political and societal systems, to invigorate and develop them and to consolidate the principles of Shura (consultations), and the rule of law and justice, Her Highness Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak said on Tuesday.
"It is necessary today to pursue change and development to allow us to continuously adapt to regional and international developments, and to enable citizens of the GCC countries to take an active part in forging their own futures," Shaikha Fatima, Chairperson of the General Women's Union and President of the Family Development Foundation and the Arab Women Organisation, told the 13th annual conference of the Emirates Centre for Strategic Studies and Research (ECSSR) held under the theme The Arabian Gulf: Between Conservatism and Change.
"The late Shaikh Zayed built state institutions with the help of the children of the UAE. We must be prepared to deal with potential changes in order to assist the process of comprehensive development.
"We must also devise strategies by which we can accomplish our goals and maintain our vital and strategic interests under the current regime of development," Shaikha Fatima said in her keynote speech read out on her behalf by Dr Amal Al Qubaisi, the only elected woman member of the Federal National Council.
Stressing the role of women, Shaikha Fatima said: "We must not forget the role of Emirati women in this process, and their effective contribution to its advancement at all levels.
"Emirati women occupy leading, influential positions, illustrating the positive transformations which have taken place in our societies.
"In the process, however, they have been able to preserve their genuine Arab and Islamic values and have made use of positive, modern, although moderate, thoughts and ideas.
Shaikha Fatima said the UAE leadership has afforded women multiple opportunities for advancement, and events have since affirmed they were worthy of the responsibility the leadership had bestowed upon them.
On the issue of choosing between conservatism and change, she raised essential questions such as: Is there a realistic clear plan for change based on objective and scientific bases?
Are theorists, scholars and experts capable of presenting viable solutions to ensure the correct balance between the requirements of change and the preservation of tradition?
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