To speak to youth, parliamentarians must use social media, said Ediola Pashollari, secretary general of the World Assembly of Youth (WAY).

“It’s the quickest platform; in a way it’s less restrictive or controlled,” she said. She admitted that there can be repercussions in some states, but it allows governments to assess different viewpoints from their younger citizens. “It helps you to look at different views from different peers, so you can challenge yourself to a different level.”

Speaking on the sidelines of the International Government Communications Forum in Sharjah, she added that all politicians should be on platforms such as Twitter. “If I have to question or ask or want to request something, then I will definitely want to have it from the right person instead of being bureaucratically processed from one to another,” she said.

The IGCF is a two-day event at Sharjah Expo Centre, bringing together world leaders in communications, environment and sustainability. Guests on day one included former US vice-president and climate advocate Al Gore; Badr Jafar, the CEO of Crescent Enterprises and President of Crescent Petroleum United States; Dr Jeffrey Sachs, renowned development economist; and Her Excellency Najla Bint Mohammad Al Awar, UAE Cabinet Member and Minister of Community Development.