AUK Holds Symposium On Electoral Process By Yousef Kazem

Courtesy of the Daily Star
8th December, 2005
Event was held on 5th December, 2005

Kuwait: The Alumni Association of Kuwait organized a symposium at the American University of Kuwait (AUK) on the role of youth in political reform. Both political science professor Dr. Nada Al-Mutawa and political activist Dr. Ahmad Al-Munayyes gave lectures and spoke about the current political landscape of Kuwait and the need for reform.

Al-Mutawa called on youth to be effective in sensitizing society on political issues and advocating reform. She added that if people distance themselves from politics, this will only entrench corruption.

She said that today's youth should try and understand the electoral process and the criteria by which representatives are elected. She encouraged youth to volunteer in the community and contribute to civil society activities. She highlighted Oman as a leading model in fighting corruption in the region, despite its little parliamentary experience. She added that Oman has designed a voting card against forgery and that Kuwait must emulate since it is a leading democracy in the region.

Meanwhile, Al-Munayyes indicated that the Kuwaiti youth faces a new challenge regarding its contribution in the political arena. He underscored their pivotal role in civic education in light of the endemic corruption plaguing life in Kuwait. He decried the loss of prominent former MPs, which he attributed to malpractices in the electoral process. Those MPs, according to him, have immensely contributed to political life in the country.

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