Baghdad: The National Youth Council recently organized an introductory workshop on the functions of the House of Representatives at the Institute for Parliamentary Development. The event aimed to educate young members of the council about the legislative and oversight roles of the Council of Representatives.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the workshop was spearheaded by the Ministry of Youth and Sports’ National Youth Council Department. Notable attendees included Dr. Ari Kamal Mustafa, the Undersecretary of the Ministry for Youth Affairs, and Ali Lafteh, the Director of the National Youth Council Department. The Director General of the Parliamentary Development Institute, Saad Fayyad, opened the session by welcoming the National Youth Council members and explaining the legislative and oversight responsibilities of the Council of Representatives.

The workshop was structured around two main themes: defining the core functions of the Council of Representatives and empowering youth politically and intellectually. Fayyad emphasized the importance of youth awareness regarding political participation, institutional work, and their role in public life. Dr. Ari Kamal underscored the necessity of supporting youth to engage in political decision-making and praised the National Youth Council for their active participation.

Additionally, Abbas al-Sharifi, Assistant Advisor to the Office of the First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, provided an overview of Parliament’s powers and its role within the Iraqi constitutional framework. He highlighted the significance of legislative authority in state-building and the essential functions of enacting laws and monitoring the executive branch.

The workshop also featured a lecture by Dr. Muhammad Qasim Yaqoub, Director General of the Parliamentary Legislation Department. His presentation covered topics such as political and intellectual empowerment, democratic mechanisms, and the administrative and political functions of the state, enriching participants’ understanding of constitutional institutions and parliamentary procedures.