Hundreds of FNC members have come and gone, all chosen or elected to mirror Emirati society.
The most notable change over that time, says Dr Mohammed Al Mazroui, a former member and the council's secretary general for 15 years, is the increasing level of education of its members.
That, too, mirrors the nation as a whole.
The simplicity of life in the 1970s made experience a better qualification for membership than did education.
"Now we have development in education in the UAE. Now members are more educated," Mr Al Mazroui said. "We cannot say they were worse before, but now life is more complex."
And the members with greater levels of education, many with strong skills in areas such as research, can tackle more complex issues, he said.
But of the current batch of members, the women have yet to step up, said Ali Jassim, a veteran member from Umm Al Qaiwain. None has yet asked a question of a minister.
"I told them to participate," Mr Jassim said. "There must be more participation and collaboration between the two."
He believes matters will change as members become more confident and work better together.
osalem@thenational.ae
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Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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The flights
Emirates flies to Delhi with fares starting from around Dh760 return, while Etihad fares cost about Dh783 return. From Delhi, there are connecting flights to Lucknow.
Where to stay
It is advisable to stay in Lucknow and make a day trip to Kannauj. A stay at the Lebua Lucknow hotel, a traditional Lucknowi mansion, is recommended. Prices start from Dh300 per night (excluding taxes).
Under 19 World Cup
Group A: India, Japan, New Zealand, Sri Lanka
Group B: Australia, England, Nigeria, West Indies
Group C: Bangladesh, Pakistan, Scotland, Zimbabwe
Group D: Afghanistan, Canada, South Africa, UAE
UAE fixtures
Saturday, January 18, v Canada
Wednesday, January 22, v Afghanistan
Saturday, January 25, v South Africa
Sustainable Development Goals
1. End poverty in all its forms everywhere
2. End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture
3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
5. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
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10. Reduce inequality within and among countries
11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
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13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its effects
14. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
15. Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
16. Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development
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Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers