Around 250 university students will get a behind-the-scenes look at Bahrain’s legislative process this week as the Shura Council opens its doors to young people through a first-of-its-kind five-day programme designed to turn parliamentary awareness into active participation.
The Legislative Culture Week for University Students, which begins today, will bring together students from 12 universities and higher education institutions, giving them an opportunity to explore how legislation is developed, how the Shura Council operates and how young people can contribute ideas that could have a wider impact.
The initiative is being organised by the Shura Council Secretariat-General as part of its ‘From Voice to Impact’ initiative, aimed at creating greater opportunities for young people to engage with legislative work and transform their ideas and proposals into practical initiatives.
The programme is being held under the direction of Shura Council Chairman Ali Saleh Al Saleh and with the follow-up of Secretary-General Kareema Al Abbasi, while strengthening co-operation between the council, universities and other higher education institutions.
Rather than limiting students’ exposure to parliamentary affairs to lectures and presentations, the week will combine learning with practical and interactive experiences.
Students will take part in activities exploring smart solutions for legislative work, parliamentary awareness programmes and interactive sessions designed to give them a clearer understanding of the council’s responsibilities and role within Bahrain’s legislative system.
A field visit will also allow participants to experience the legislative working environment at close quarters, providing a practical dimension to what they learn during the programme.
The initiative is also intended to give students a platform to put forward their own ideas, develop proposals and explore innovative initiatives that could potentially be embraced by the authorities.
The organisers said the programme reflects a broader shift towards moving legislative awareness from knowledge to experience, participation and practice, particularly among the younger generation.
By opening space for students to express their views and develop initiatives, the programme seeks to position young people not simply as recipients of information about parliamentary work, but as potential partners in developing solutions and shaping future priorities.
The five-day programme also forms part of the Secretariat-General’s wider efforts to strengthen communication with young people and deepen its partnership with universities and higher education institutions.
Through the initiative, students will gain a closer understanding of the functions and responsibilities of the Shura Council and the work carried out by its Secretariat-General, while also learning how ideas can move from discussion towards practical impact.
The programme comes as Bahrain continues to emphasise youth participation and the development of national capabilities, with universities providing an important platform for connecting young people with public institutions and national decision-making processes.
Ms Al Abbasi said for the participating students, the week is expected to offer an opportunity to see legislative work beyond its formal procedures, and to explore how their own voices, ideas and initiatives can become part of the wider conversation about Bahrain’s future. “The initiative also reinforces the Shura Council’s efforts to build stronger links with the education sector and create more direct channels for dialogue between young people and legislative institutions.”
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
&uuid=(email))