Good governance in the Arab world today is the foundation for sustainable development, social justice, and peace in the region. It is the determining factor in decision-making, the sharing of power, and the serving of institutions to citizens’ needs. For nations under economic pressure, climate threats, and political transformations, governance is no longer just a matter of management but also of rebuilding trust, assuring accountability, and facilitating participation in society.
The youth are at the forefront of this whole concept. Youth in Jordan and the Arab world are the majority and have great potential to lead the way to the future. They are active, knowledgeable, and aware of the problems around them. However, their power to affect policy and governance is still very limited. The Arab Renaissance for Democracy and Development (ARDD) asserts that the participation of the young in public life and policy-making is not a matter of choice but a necessity for the building of strong, equitable, and democratic communities.
Youth as Drivers of Democratic Renewal
Jordanian youth have the potential, just like many others in the Arab world, to bring about transformation with their inventiveness and vigor. Their participation in civil society, volunteering, and social entrepreneurship demonstrates a new generation that is taking responsibility for the community. However, their influence in the governance system is still restricted. The young electorate’s turnout is significantly lower than the average, and a 42% gap in parliamentary participation is seen in the representation of state institutions.
The New Generation Program is one of the initiatives that ARDD is taking to narrow the gap by promoting the participation of these young people in civic and political life. The Youth Civic and Political Participation Policy Labs within this program create a forum for the young Jordanians, particularly among the political science and law students, to discuss their perspectives on the governance-shaping issue.
Sessions like “Empowering the Future: Jordanian Youth’s Role in Driving Meaningful Change” stress the value of knowledge, dialogue, and structured civic engagement. These discussions, supported by experts such as Dr. Mohammad Jreibi, Director of the Thuraya Center for Studies, underline that good governance depends not only on authority but also on participation, transparency, and accountability.
Public Services and the Foundation of Governance
Strong governance is the closest thing to the delivery of public services. People’s access to quality education, health care, social protection, and water supplies of good quality is the foundation of equitable development. When public services are offered with the support of enough funding, transparency, and accountability, they will contribute to the establishment of trust between governments and citizens. On the other hand, limited funding or privatization might lead to increased inequality, loss of public trust, and consequently, social unrest.
As part of the global Civil Society Collective Statement on Public Services, ARDD joined international partners to affirm that publicly funded and accountable services are essential to human rights, gender equality, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The statement highlights that austerity and privatization have weakened public welfare in many countries, a situation that must change for the Arab region to achieve sustainable governance.
Governance that is effective requires public financing that is of high quality, taxation that is fair, and policies that prioritize people over profit. The governments ought to protect social expenditure instead of cutting it under the pressures of debt or the budget. As the statement has drawn attention to, budgets being reduced in the areas of education and health are detrimental to the communities and endanger the future workforce, with women and young people having to face the major part of the impact.
Toward Inclusive, Accountable Governance
Building good governance in the Arab world requires a new approach based on participation, fairness, and inclusion. It ensures that all citizens, regardless of gender, age, or social status, have access to justice, quality services, and a voice in shaping policies that affect their lives.
For young people, this means creating clear pathways into decision-making through local councils, civic organizations, national parliaments, and international forums. It also involves providing civic education, digital tools, and platforms that link their ideas to policymaking.
Governance reform must also emphasize transparency, accountability, and ethical leadership. Citizens’ trust can only be restored when institutions act with integrity and respond to community needs. This includes recognizing public service workers such as teachers, nurses, and social workers as essential contributors within the governance system.
ARDD’s Role: Reviving the Spirit of Al Nahda
Since its establishment in 2008, ARDD has been working for the revival of Al Nahda, the Arab Renaissance-through the promotion of democratic governance along with inclusive development. ARDD fosters dialogue between citizens, civil society, and decision-makers through research, policy engagement, and grassroots programming.
The Renaissance Strategic Center (RSC), the policy and research arm of ARDD, pursues this mission through the development of evidence-based studies and multi-stakeholder discussion events on governance, social justice, and human rights. Together, ARDD and RSC seek to foster a new generation of informed citizens for whom governance is not a matter of someone else’s policy choice but a shared responsibility.
Toward a Just and Participatory Future
Good governance cannot be obtained solely with laws or institutions; it is grounded in accountability, participation, and justice. This, however, is well understood by youth in the Arab world. But the burning issue persists in unemployment, inequality, and political exclusion.
Through the ARDD program of youth engagement, public service advocacy, and building of civic institutions, it has clearly communicated that the region’s future lies in the hands of a citizenry empowered with integrity, knowledge, and purpose.
The recognition of youth voices and the strengthening of public systems make governance a core factor of a fair and strong society rather than mere administration.
