ARDD’s GNQP and L4P host presentation of new UN Special Rapporteur report: From Economy of Occupation to Economy of Genocide
On 1 July 2025, Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, presented her latest report during an online meeting hosted by ARDD and Law for Palestine (L4P). The event brought together members of ARDD’s Global Network on the Question of Palestine (GNQP) and members of L4P’s board and team. Entitled From Economy of Occupation to Economy of Genocide, the report investigates the corporate machinery sustaining Israel’s settler-colonial project of displacement and replacement of Palestinians in the occupied territory. While political leaders and governments shirk their obligations, numerous corporate entities have profited from Israel’s economy of illegal occupation, apartheid, and now, genocide. The complicity exposed in the report is only the tip of the iceberg; ending it requires holding the private sector and its executives accountable. International law recognises varying degrees of responsibility—each demanding scrutiny and accountability—especially in this case, where an entire people’s self-determination and very existence are at stake. This is a necessary step towards ending the genocide and dismantling the global systems that have enabled it. In her introductory remarks, the Special Rapporteur highlighted that the report examines corporate entities across multiple sectors: arms manufacturers, tech firms, construction companies, extractive and service industries, banks, pension funds, insurers, universities, and charities. These entities enable the denial of self-determination and perpetuate structural violations in the occupied Palestinian territory, including occupation, annexation, and crimes of apartheid and genocide. The report also details a wide range of related crimes and human rights violations, from discrimination, wanton destruction, forced displacement, and pillage to extrajudicial killings and starvation. Following Albanese’s presentation, a lively Q&A session took place, with participants commending the report, requesting clarifications, and initiating discussions on how it could serve as a framework and platform for collective action to end the ongoing genocide, apartheid, occupation, and related crimes. Participants emphasised the importance of building on the existing momentum of global transformative solidarity with Palestine and the Palestinian people. The full report is available at: https://www.ohchr.org/en/documents/country-reports/ahrc5923-economy-occupation-economy-genocide-report-special-rapporteur
ARDD Joins Global Panel in Geneva to Demand Safer Online Spaces for Women Leaders
On June 17, during the 59th Session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Eleonora Banfi represented the Arab Renaissance for Democracy and Development (ARDD) at a high-level side event organized by Rutgers. The event brought together leading voices from around the world to address the growing threat of online hate speech and disinformation targeting women in politics and human rights advocacy. Speaking on an international panel, Banfi presented ARDD’s research findings from Jordan, revealing that 43% of tech-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) cases occur on Facebook — a platform where Arabic content moderation remains alarmingly inadequate. She highlighted chilling examples of women in Jordan who were forced to withdraw from political life after facing coordinated meme attacks and smear campaigns, especially during election periods. Banfi described these patterns as part of “structural silencing” — systemic efforts to push women out of public and political spaces. Other distinguished speakers included Catherine Van de Heyning from the UNHRC Advisory Committee, Asha Allen of the Center for Democracy & Technology Europe, and Ghizlane Mamouni, President of Kif Mama Kif Baba in Morocco. The event opened with remarks by H.E. Mr. Christophe Payot, Belgium’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, and was moderated by Kinda Majary of Abaad MENA. Throughout the discussion, panelists emphasized the urgent need for legal reforms to criminalize online violence against women, stronger accountability from social media platforms, and the inclusion of Arabic-speaking women in global efforts to improve content moderation and online safety. Banfi closed her intervention with: “If women can’t speak safely, they can’t lead — and if they can’t lead, democracy is incomplete.” ARDD’s participation in this event underscores its ongoing commitment to defending women’s rights and ensuring safe, equitable online spaces for women leaders in the Arab region and beyond.
Strategic Partnership between ARDD and the Arab Thought Forum to Strengthen Knowledge Impact in Jordan and the Region
The Arab Renaissance for Democracy and Development (ARDD) and the Arab Thought Forum have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to unify efforts and strengthen institutional cooperation in knowledge production, research, and development at both the national and regional levels. The agreement also aims to promote the exchange of expertise and consultations to advance cultural and intellectual issues. The MoU was signed by the Secretary-General of the Arab Thought Forum, Dr. Sadeq Al-Faqih, and ARDD’s Executive Director, Samar Muhareb. This signing reflects a shared belief in the importance of creating collaborative spaces between intellectual and civil society institutions and in building knowledge infrastructures capable of influencing public policies and shaping strategic visions to address the fast-evolving challenges facing Arab societies. Both parties affirmed their commitment to supporting initiatives that restore the role of intellectual thought in shaping societies’ futures by developing knowledge systems that support decision-makers, encourage critical thinking, and contribute to a more sustainable and just future in the Arab world. The MoU outlines plans to launch a series of joint initiatives and activities, organize seminars and workshops, and design interactive knowledge programs that enhance Arab engagement in the fields of thought and development. It also seeks to develop high-quality research projects that enrich public discourse and contribute to the creation of knowledge-based policies. Samar Muhareb emphasized that this partnership represents an intellectual and civic catalyst that will strengthen collective efforts to link development work with deep intellectual approaches. She noted that cooperation with the Arab Thought Forum opens new horizons for producing independent Arab knowledge capable of responding intelligently and flexibly to the complexities of today’s world. For his part, Dr. Al-Faqih stated that this agreement provides a valuable opportunity to expand dialogue platforms on Arab intellectual issues and to enhance the role of thought as a driver of social change. He highlighted the importance of leveraging research and analysis tools to develop alternative development strategies, especially in light of the geopolitical transformations currently reshaping the region. The MoU was signed at ARDD’s headquarters in the presence of several staff members from both organizations.
She Leads… Jordanian and Egyptian Experts Emphasize the Need to Strengthen a Community Culture that Supports Young Women’s Leadership
As part of the “She Leads” program, the Arab Renaissance for Democracy and Development (ARDD) organized two dialogue sessions in Jordan and Egypt to explore the role of men within families in supporting young women’s leadership. The sessions aimed to develop recommendations grounded in real-world challenges facing women, with active participation from young female leaders and regional experts on women’s leadership. The goal is to produce a detailed policy brief and research paper on this topic. During the sessions, held on June 18 and 24, 2025, with regional experts on women’s leadership in Egypt and Jordan, Lina Husseh, Project Manager of She Leads, highlighted the importance of addressing decision-makers through policy papers and research to secure their support. She stressed the need to strengthen communities and the legislative environment by planning and implementing programs that increase meaningful participation opportunities for young women and girls. Meanwhile, Malak Suleiman, Projects Manager at ARDD, presented a draft policy brief in progress. The brief includes recommendations to activate the role of young men and boys within families to help cultivate young female leaders. She shed light on how political, cultural, economic, and technological shifts affect patterns of support for women within families, and how these shifts impact women’s broader societal presence. Suleiman also emphasized the importance of working within a systematic and integrated framework to enhance institutional and individual efforts to create an enabling environment that supports young women in reaching leadership positions. Participants in both sessions noted that despite ongoing efforts to strengthen women’s roles in leadership and decision-making, these efforts have not yet reached the desired level across various sectors and communities. This gap is particularly evident in some regions of Egypt. They agreed that societal constraints continue to limit women’s effective participation, and there remains a lack of genuine representation of women in decision-making positions, despite the presence of successful female role models who need greater visibility and institutional support. Participants also discussed the necessity of integrating girls with disabilities into education and enhancing their civic and political engagement. The discussions underscored the importance of designing well-structured local initiatives within educational contexts, incorporating leadership skills and principles of gender justice from an early age, and providing appropriate psychological and social training for girls during decision-making stages at the family level. Participants also stressed the need for sustainable programs to train parents on supportive parenting methods. At the institutional level, participants recommended enhancing young women’s leadership by providing tangible opportunities in the public and humanitarian sectors, focusing on establishing a more supportive and inclusive organizational culture, especially regarding women’s leadership. They highlighted the need to adopt clear social, economic, and political standards that promote women’s participation in leadership and decision-making positions. Participants also called for a reexamination of youth studies to ensure they more accurately reflect the complex and evolving realities faced by girls and young female leaders. In conclusion, participants emphasized the importance of effectively adopting the recommendations in both the Jordanian and Egyptian contexts to ensure their transformation into actionable national policies, while respecting cultural and historical specificities. They stressed the need to raise men’s awareness of their roles, build trust between local community institutions and families, and enhance the role of media and social media as powerful tools for raising awareness—particularly among men—by presenting recommendations backed by data, statistics, and real-life examples. They agreed that meaningful change begins with recognizing existing gaps in program design and implementation and the need for cooperation across all sectors to adopt new, more realistic, and comprehensive approaches that reflect the needs of women and girls, fostering real transformation in the culture of leadership in both Jordanian and Egyptian societies. It is worth noting that the “She Leads” program aims to promote equitable representation of men and women in decision-making processes through capacity-building activities focused on expanding girls’ and women’s access to education, skills development, political engagement, advocacy, purposeful interaction, and awareness-raising, all through a collaborative and inclusive approach at both regional and international levels.
Global Network on the Question of Palestine discusses the impact of Israel’s attack on Iran
On 22 June 2025, ARDD’s Global Network on the Question of Palestine (GNQP) held an online meeting to discuss the impact of Israel’s attack on Iran on the broader Question of Palestine, including the war in Gaza and the attacks on the West Bank. The meeting, attended by some 20 members of the Network and several invited guests, started with an introduction by Mouin Rabbani, co-editor of Jadaliyya, non-resident fellow at the Center for Conflict and Humanitarian Studies, and member of the GNQP. Rabbani focused on Israel’s motives for its attack on Iran – making it clear that contrary to wide-held belief, it was not to divert attention from its war in Gaza – but rather the outcome of Israel’s new security doctrine, post 7 October, that wants to further cement it’s hegemonic position in the region – including through regime change – and maintain at all cost its nuclear monopoly in the region. With respect to the implications for the Palestine question, now that the US has agreed to join its attack on Iran, Israel likely feels emboldened to continue its genocide in Gaza and to possibly trigger expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza, the West Bank and possibly Israel itself. One effect of the attacks on Iran has been is that it has muted European criticism of Israel with some Europeans now aligning behind Israel, as was the case immediately following 7 October 2023.
Civil Society in Transition: Funding, Regulation, and Digital Governance in Jordan
Amid legal and technological changes reshaping the work of civil society organizations in Jordan, the Arab Renaissance for Democracy and Development (ARDD) convened a consultative session for members of the Jordan National NGO Forum (JONAF) on June 23, 2025 to discuss the latest regulatory and technical developments affecting the sector. The session, part of the “Future Forward: Unlocking Sustainable Local Opportunities” project funded by the European Regional Development and Protection Programme, was titled “Civil Society in Transition: Funding, Regulation, and Digital Governance in Jordan.” It brought together representatives from leading civil society organizations, as well as legal and technology experts, to examine new legislation, registration systems, and funding challenges. Lina Halaseh, ARDD Project Manager, stressed the need for organizations to adapt to digital transformation and regulatory changes, highlighting the importance of building transparent relationships with donors and government bodies. She underscored that automating administrative processes supports transparency, accountability, and stronger partnerships across sectors. ARDD Legal Advisor Rami Qweider presented the key legal updates, including the new electronic invoicing system issued by the Income Tax Department, which obliges all institutions to issue official invoices through the system. He also noted new banking requirements, such as periodic updates of administrative board members’ data, which add to the administrative burden on organizations. Presenting the findings of a recent survey conducted by ARDD and JONAF, Programs Manager and JONAF Coordinator Zainab Khalil revealed that among 31 participating organizations, only 17 had registered with the electronic invoicing system, 22 had started issuing invoices, and 26 had signed up for the “Takamul” platform. Khalil praised improvements to the “Takamul” platform, which now offers faster processing, streamlined applications, and complete archiving of information, speeding up official responses and improving access to government services. Khaled Juma, researcher at ARDD’s Renaissance Strategic Center, highlighted challenges facing civil society amid digital transformation, such as weak digital infrastructure and the shortage of qualified personnel to use new platforms. He called for accurate data collection, staff training, and the alignment of projects with community needs. Participants also noted that some organizations, especially small coalitions, continue to struggle with registering on the “Takamul” platform due to unclear guidelines and lack of technical support. They pointed to confusion caused by the coexistence of electronic invoices and existing official receipts, as well as ongoing funding challenges. Concluding the session, participants recommended the development of a new dialogue framework between civil society and government institutions, enhanced technical support for using digital platforms like “Invoicing” and “Takamul,” and stronger coordination between donors and local organizations. They also called for a review of current policies to ensure inclusive and equitable funding and to build the digital capacities of civil society staff.
JONAF Launches Comprehensive Program to Strengthen Member Capabilities and Advance Localization Efforts in Jordan’s Civil Society
In a clear demonstration of its commitment to promoting the localization and strengthening the capacity of local partners, the Jordan National NGOs Forum (JONAF) has launched a comprehensive program aimed at enhancing the capabilities of its member organizations across various areas of community response. This initiative is part of JONAF’s ongoing efforts to position itself as an inclusive platform that reflects the priorities of local communities and contributes to more effective, sustainable, and locally-driven development outcomes. The program’s inaugural activity was a specialized workshop on monitoring and evaluation (M&E), organized by the Arab Renaissance for Democracy and Development (ARDD) on May 27–28, 2025. The workshop brought together representatives from local member organizations across multiple governorates. It is part of ARDD’s project, “Future Forward: Unlocking Sustainable Local Opportunities”, which aims to empower local communities by enabling organizations to lead responses based on accurate field insights and by strengthening their institutional tools to operate with effectiveness and independence. The project also emphasizes the importance of building partnerships among key stakeholders, with particular attention to livelihoods and economic empowerment for vulnerable groups. Additionally, it supports JONAF’s role as a unifying umbrella platform through the review and enhancement of its governance framework—ensuring it reflects member aspirations and reinforces JONAF’s standing as a leading local actor in shaping the civil society agenda in Jordan. The workshop, designed based on a needs assessment conducted by the alliance, aimed to build the capacity of member organizations to monitor and evaluate their projects effectively and to develop action plans and proposals that are rooted in community needs. This strengthens their ability to conduct self-assessments, promote community accountability, and take on meaningful roles as genuine development partners—not just implementers. Select representatives from participating organizations will also contribute to updating JONAF’s logical framework, supporting the development of a more robust governance structure and institutional foundation for the alliance as a coordinating body that champions local priorities and leads relevant policy dialogues. This program responds to the growing need to empower local organizations—not only technically, but within a broader reform vision that centers localization in humanitarian and development efforts in Jordan. Principles such as equitable partnerships, accountability, and sustainable funding are seen as essential pillars of any model that truly supports localization, moving beyond centralized implementation or operational dependency. Participating organizations in the workshop included: NAYA Community Network, Athar for Youth Development, Society for Protection Family Violence Victims, Abu Alanda Social Development Association, Al-Hassa Charity Association, Women Tafeileh Association, Qudrat Association for Community Development, and Shamaa Charity Association. Which reflecting the diverse geographic and thematic representation within JONAF’s membership. Established in 2016 as an initiative led by ARDD in partnership with local and community-based organizations, JONAF works to foster coordination, resource sharing, and policy influence grounded in community needs. The alliance currently comprises a 10-member governing board and a general assembly of 41 local member and supporting organizations. These organizations span Jordan’s northern, central, and southern regions and include those focused on serving people with disabilities—further reinforcing JONAF’s inclusivity and responsiveness to underrepresented groups. Today, JONAF stands as a leading example of a local coordination platform striving for the sustainability of community work through the integration of roles between local and international actors.
ARDD Signs Three Strategic Agreements to Empower Youth and Women in Environmental Civic Engagement
The Arab Renaissance for Democracy and Development (ARDD) has signed three cooperation agreements with members of the Youth Organizations Coordinating Network, under the framework of the New Generation – GenG project. This project aims to enhance civic and political participation among youth and women, support advocacy for social justice, and contribute to building a strong, inclusive civil society. The agreements were formalized during May-July 2025 at ARDD’s headquarters in Amman, with the following partners: Kidoz Times Youth Platform, Al-Sendyan Land Association-ASLA, and Shabab 42 Foundation. These partnerships will support the implementation of grassroots initiatives designed to increase youth and women’s involvement in addressing environmental challenges—particularly climate change. The focus will be on community mobilization, empowering local populations to take collective action, and promoting gender equity, especially in rural areas where women play a critical role. Partner organizations were selected through a transparent and rigorous process based on their experience and capacity in community engagement, environmental activism, gender justice, and inclusive development—particularly in climate-affected contexts. The Youth Organizations Coordinating Network is one of ARDD’s key initiatives, established to foster a dynamic network of youth-led organizations working to advance civic and political engagement, facilitate knowledge exchange, and create collaborative responses to the pressing challenges facing youth and women in Jordan.
Renaissance Strategic Center Launches “Engage & Discuss” Series with Inaugural Session on Migration Governance in Jordan’s Garment Sector
29 May 2025 – The Renaissance Strategic Center (RSC) launched its new discussion platform, the “Engage & Discuss” series, with a dynamic inaugural session titled “Migration Governance and Development in Jordan’s Garment Sector.” The event featured guest speaker Maximilian Hofmann, a PhD candidate at Queen Mary University of London’s School of Business and Management, who presented his early research on bilateral migration governance and the role of migrant labor in Jordan’s export-oriented garment industry. Mr. Hofmann’s presentation explored the sector’s evolution since the establishment of Qualified Industrial Zones (QIZs) in the 1990s, marking Jordan’s integration into global garment supply chains. He emphasized that although Jordan is a relatively recent entrant in the sector, it has become a significant exporter. The country’s reliance on Bangladeshi migrant workers is underpinned by bilateral cooperation between Jordan and Bangladesh, driven by aligned economic goals: Jordan’s strategy to increase local value addition and create quality jobs for Jordanians depends on a stable migrant workforce, while Bangladesh seeks to expand overseas employment through vocational training. The session, introduced by RSC Coordinator Mariam Abu Samra, also highlighted the active involvement of the Center’s internship program. Interns Giovana Mariani and Giorgio Gioele Sirito served as moderators, reflecting RSC’s commitment to inclusive knowledge sharing and youth engagement. This opening event attracted students, researchers, and migration experts, setting a strong foundation for the “Engage & Discuss” series. Upcoming sessions will continue to explore the multifaceted realities of migrant and refugee workers across the Arab region.
ARDD Featured in the Legal Aid Services Map for Women in Jordan
As part of ongoing efforts to enhance women’s access to legal aid services and raise awareness about service providers, their geographic distribution, the types of services offered, and the target groups, the Jordanian National Commission for Women launched the Legal Aid Services Map for Women in Jordan on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. The map includes 12 specialized organizations, among them the Arab Renaissance for Democracy and Development (ARDD). Launched under the patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Basma Bint Talal, and developed in collaboration with the Justice Center for Legal Aid and with support from the Government of Cyprus, the initiative falls within the framework of the project “Raising Community Awareness on Legal Aid Services.” The map provides information on services such as legal consultation, court representation, accompaniment to official institutions, mediation, and self-representation. It was developed based on focus group discussions, field research, and a review of relevant legislation. In her opening remarks, Her Royal Highness highlighted that “empowering women to access legal aid contributes to upholding justice and fairness, safeguarding constitutionally protected rights, and promoting social justice.” The launch event was attended by representatives from government institutions, civil society organizations, project partners, Cypriot Ambassador to Jordan Sivas Aviedizian, members of Parliament, the National Family Protection Team, and the Commission’s legal team. Representing ARDD, Legal Consultant, Adv. Rami Qwaider stressed the importance of intensifying efforts to remove barriers and ensure that legal services are inclusive and equitable, especially for vulnerable groups. He emphasized that ARDD prioritizes improving access to legal aid services for women of all nationalities—both Jordanians and refugees—by offering legal support, building the capacity of service providers, and developing innovative tools that facilitate access to legal information. Engineer Maha Ali, Secretary-General of the Commission, noted that the launch of the map is part of broader national efforts to strengthen women’s access to justice, in alignment with the National Strategy for Women 2020–2025. Concluding the event, JNCW announced the launch of a dedicated section for the map on its digital platform “Know More!”, where users can find information on legal aid providers across Jordan’s governorates, the types of services offered, and how to get in touch with them.