ARDD and JONAF honor AECID–Jordan with the Al Nahda Localization Award 2024
To emphasize the importance of localization of humanitarian and development work in Jordan and effective partnership between civil society and international institutions in strengthening it, especially in times of peace and crises, conflicts, and unrest in the region, the Arab Renaissance for Democracy and Development (ARDD) and the Jordan National NGO Forum (JONAF) honored the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) – Jordan with the Al Nahda Award for the localization of humanitarian action for the year 2024. The award was presented during a ceremony on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, on Human Rights Day, titled “Bridges of Light: Prioritizing Local Actors in War and Peace. ” It was received by the Spanish Ambassador to Jordan, Miguel de Lucas González, who emphasized that activating the localization of humanitarian work in Jordan requires genuine collaboration and engagement with local civil society. He expressed his appreciation and pride in receiving the award, highlighting the depth of the partnership between Spain and Jordan. Ambassador González pointed out that the AEICD – Jordan has for many years supported the independence of decision-making of local actors, showing understanding of the local context in all areas of work, in addition to its continuous support for building the capacity of local organizations and giving them priority in all its decisions. In line with this year’s theme, the award seeks to recognize leaders who have supported their local partners during times of turbulence and uncertainty at the regional level. These leaders have strived to maintain the independence of their partners, respected their sense of justice, amplified their voices, brought attention to their issues, and adapted their programs to align with the local context. Dr. Sawsan Al-Majali, a member of the JONAF Steering Committee, said: “This year, we come together amid enormous regional and global challenges. The dire situation in Palestine and our region, with its devastating impact on civilians and humanitarian workers, underscores the importance of the localization of humanitarian action as the cornerstone of building resilience and promoting justice and sustainable development.” She also pointed out that AEICD – Jordan was selected by the JONAF Steering Committee from a pool of 11 nominations, with 3 candidates making the final shortlist. On behalf of Jordanian organizations, the Secretary-General of the Jordanian National Forum for Women, Dr. Ruba Matarneh, saw that supporting the prioritization of local actors consolidates the paths of resilience and development, and contributes to raising and amplifying the voices of women, youth, and marginalized communities, giving them the ability to actively contribute to social cohesion and local leadership commending AEICD- Jordan in this regard. For his part, UN Women Jordan country representative, Nicholas Burniat, expressed his pride in Jordan’s great progress in the field of localization of humanitarian work, stressing the need to find proper ways to activate partnerships between all local actors to achieve a comprehensive renaissance and better responses to the needs of communities targeted by humanitarian and development agenda services. The Executive Director of ARDD, Samar Muhareb, emphasized that the Award´s fourth the importance of activating the localization of Human Rights and ensuring the localization of this agenda, particularly in communities that need them most, indicating that the localization of humanitarian work is not about slogans and speeches, but rather a basic requirement for humanitarian and development work and the development of societies. The Al Nahda Localization Award was launched by ARDD and JONAF in 2021 to recognize and appreciate individuals and organizations that champion localization and play a critical role in advancing and strengthening local civil society organizations at both local and international levels. As part of the Ceremony, Petr Kostohryz Special Advisor / Partnership Manager at The European Regional Development and Protection Program (RDPP), was also honored with a certificate of appreciation in recognition of his efforts over the years to support the local agenda of humanitarian action.
Organized by ARDD: A Delegation from the Jordanian Parliament, Civil Society, Security, and International Agencies Visits Zaatari Camp
In light of the recent military developments in Syria, which reflect profound regional transformations, Jordan has for many years gone through exceptional circumstances and numerous changes related to the protection of Syrian refugees, as well as the effects thereof on the host community, among other circumstances. In this context, and to review the UN, Jordanian, and international efforts, and to open discussions on the priorities of the Jordanian government as of now in this file, the Arab Renaissance for Democracy and Development (ARDD), under coordination by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Jordan (UNHCR), organized a visit to Zaatari camp (east of Mafraq), with the participation of members of the newly elected parliament, the Ministry of Justice, the United Nations Justice Program, security agencies, and a number of civil society representatives. The visit came as a result of previous dialogues with women and activists, held by ARDD as part of the New Generation project. The visit included learning about the efforts and legal protection services provided by the Jordanian government, UNHCR, and ARDD’s office for Syrian refugees, followed by a visit to the only Sharia court in the camp, through which Jordan has provided great services to refugees, and concluded with a visit to the city of Um Al-Jimal to learn about the effects of the refugee crisis that may have a positive or negative impact on the host community in Mafraq Governorate. Samar Muhareb, Executive Director of ARDD, praised Jordan’s efforts through ministries and institutions and the partnership with the UNHCR and donors over many years, stressing the need to recognize, build on, and learn from these efforts. On the challenges facing refugees in the camp, the Director of Administrative Affairs for Syrian Refugees in the camp, Lieutenant Colonel Amer Al-Mashaqbeh, indicated that there are one million and 300 thousand Syrian refugees in Jordan, and that they face several obstacles starting from the lack of funding, poor infrastructure, the rundown caravans in which they live, the lack of services, and unemployment, stressing the importance of providing more care and support by the United Nations and the international community, in order to help the Kingdom in this context. In turn, a group of women elected to the current House of Representatives expressed their gratitude and appreciation for learning about the refugee file in Jordan and the roles of civil society and the host society in this aspect, stressing the parliament’s legislative and oversight role in supporting strategic issues in the Kingdom. Going to Um Al-Jimal area, which has been recently listed by the UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, participants in the visit learned about the most important landmarks of the city, where they called for the need for local and international investors to invest in the site through a comprehensive promotion campaign and presenting Um Al-Jimal as an attractive tourist destination. According to these data on the situation of the camp and its developments, the participants in the visit underlined the importance of continuing international and local efforts to alleviate refugee crises in the region, and drew attention to Jordan’s important role in this field for many years, due to the Kingdom’s achievements in this aspect in partnership with the UNHCR, and in coordination between various government and private agencies and civil society institutions, to ensure the protection of refugees and host communities and provide them with decent means of subsistence in these difficult circumstances, leading to the need for Syrian families to access comprehensive healthcare and education services, as well as ensuring that they receive the necessary support to improve their quality of life, both inside and outside the camp.
جبل عمّان: التحفيز المجتمعي كأداة للنهوض الاقتصادي وريادة الأعمال
على مر التاريخ، تحول جبل عمّان من كونه منطقة سكنية إلى حي يشهد استثمارات تجارية متنامية. فأصيح شارع الرينبو، تحديداً، نقطة جذب للشركات والمطاعم والمقاهي، الأمر الذي رفع من جاذبية الحي التجارية. ومع ذلك، فقد أثر ارتفاع التكاليف وعمليات التحسين الحضري على السكان، مما دفع بعضهم إلى الرحيل. ويشير البعد الاقتصادي إلى الأنظمة والأنشطة التي تنطوي على إنتاج السلع والخدمات داخل المجتمع وتوزيعها واستهلاكها. وقد شهد اقتصاد جبل عمّان تغيرات كبيرة في هذا المجال، حيث تحول من منطقة سكنية راقية إلى مركز تجاري وثقافي نشط. ومع ذلك، فقد أدت عملية التجديد وارتفاع تكاليف التشغيل إلى عدة تحديات أيضاً، بالنسبة للسكان ذوي الدخل المنخفض والفئات المهمشة خاصة. وهنا؛ تلعب المشاركة المدنية في التخطيط الاقتصادي دوراً حاسماً في تعزيز النمو المتوازن والشامل الذي يعكس احتياجات جميع السكان وتطلعاتهم. في هذا الإطار، عقدت منظمة النهضة العربية للديمقراطية والتنمية (أرض)، الجلسة الحوارية الخامسة، لمبادرة “جبل عمّان: الماضي والحاضر والمستقبل”، والتي حملت عنوان: “البعد الاقتصادي”، الإثنين 25 تشرين الثاني/ نوفمبر 2024، وأدارتها المستشارة في منظمة النهضة (أرض)، المهندسة مرح خياط. وبشأن بناء الاقتصادات المحلية وريادة الأعمال، أكد مدير ومؤسسة منظمة قادة الغد والعضو في لجنة جبل عمّان، د. سامي الحوراني، على ضرورة التحفيز المجتمعي كأداة للنهوض الاقتصادي وتأثيره على ريادة الأعمال، كما يجب تحفيز الشباب في العمل الاجتماعي كونه علم بحد ذاته، ويحتاج إلى جهد كبير، والذي يبدأ بإدراك غاياتهم. ولفت إلى أن ثقافة الإنتاج هي أساس نهضة المجتمعات، فغياب هذه الثقافة عن مجتمعاتنا تجعلنا قاصرين عن مواكبة أهم التطورات على الساحتين المحلية، والإقليمية، والعالمية، مستشهداً بدول مثل سنغافورة وماليزيا اتبعت هذه الثقافة لتحقيق نهضتها. ونبه إلى أهمية العمل الجماعي وتعزيز الشراكات بين كافة الجهات عند إنشاء المبادرات المجتمعية، والمشاريع الريادية، والاستثمارات المختلفة، بعيداً عن “الفردية” لتحقيق المنفعة الاقتصادية الشاملة للمجتمعات، فضلاً عن أهمية تسليط الضوء على قدرات الشباب بالمنافسة عالمياً، مشيراً إلى أن الاقتصاد الأردني لن يحل مشكلة البطالة بين الشباب على مدى السنوات العشر القادمة، لكن مطلوب في هذا السياق تحسين قدراتهم، والقدرة على التنافس عالمياً. وفيما يتعلق بأهمية الاستثمار السياحي في جبل عمّان، شدد هيثم القسوس من مجموعة روميرو، على أهمية التخطيط الاستراتيجي عند إقامة المشاريع أو المبادرات في المنطقة، بحيث توفر فرص عمل للمجتمع المحلي نفسه، مع التركيز على دور المؤسسات في دعم أفكار الشباب ومبادراتهم. وسلط القسوس الضوء على كيفية تحقيق نتائج مبهرة عبر الرؤى الاستراتيجية التي يتمتع بها بعض الأفراد المتميزين وإصرارهم لتحقيق الأهداف مما يفتح المجال لإلهام الآخرين وخلق أثر إيجابي مستدام، مستعرضاً على المستوى الشخصي والعائلي تجربة مجموعة روميرو كمثال حي، حيث تمكنت هذه المجموعة من بناء قصة نجاح ملهمة تجمع بين الابتكار والإدارة الفعالة، أدت لتحقيق إنجازات مستدامة سواء على مستوى تطوير الأعمال أو التشغيل المجتمعي، ومثال نجاح آخر على المستوى المجتمع: من خلال تقديم تجربة جمعية وسوق جارا، حيث نجحت الجمعية في تعزيز الهوية الثقافية والاجتماعية للمنطقة، واستثمار الموارد المحلية من خلال تنظيم سوق جارا الذي أصبح منصة لتمكين المجتمعات ودعم الاقتصاد المحلي. ختاماً؛ أكد المشاركون على أهمية دعم الشباب ومبادراتهم الإنتاجية والاجتماعية في جبل عمّان خاصة والمملكة ككل، وكذلك من الضروري إطلاق حوارات بين القطاعين العام والخاص والمجتمع المدني، والمجتمعات كافة، مع التأكيد على أن رغبة الشباب في المشاركة على مستويات مختلفة لا بد أن تحاط ببيئة اجتماعية ومؤسسية داعمة.
ARDD Participates in Palestinian Solidarity Event in UK Parliament
ARDD’s Senior Advisor on the Question of Palestine, Dr. Lex Takkenberg, was one of the speakers at an event, “Defending Palestinian Rights: Humanitarian and Legal Perspectives,” on Tuesday at the House of Commons of the UK Parliament. The event was organised by the Palestinian Return Centre to mark the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People and hosted by Shockat Adam, Member of Parliament for Leicester South in the House of Commons. In addition to Lex Takkenberg, the speakers included Avi Shlaim, Emeritus Professor of International Relations at the University of Oxford, Penny Green, Professor of Law and Globalisation at Queen Mary University of London, Ruba Salih, Professor of Anthropology at the University of Bologna and Dr. Shahd Hammouri, Lecturer in International Law at the University of Kent. Ruba Salih and Shahd Hammouri are also members of ARDD’s Global Network on the Question of Palestine. The panel addressed the event theme from different angles. Professor Shlaim provided the context of the Question of Palestine highlighting that it was “made in Britain” and that successive British Governments have never acknowledged responsibility for the injustices inflicted to the Palestinian People. Professor Green focused on the limitations of international law in addressing the Palestinian struggle for justice with an emphasis on the significant role of civil society in driving accountability. Dr. Takkenberg focused on protection of Palestinian refugees in light of Israel’s ban on UNRWA, highlighting that it constitutes a fundamental rupture with respect to the international community’s response to the Palestinian refugee issue since the agency’s establishment in 1950, with wide-ranging legal, political, institutional, humanitarian, financial and other implications. Professor Salih gave voice to Palestinian perspectives with respect to the ongoing genocide in Gaza, including those of survivors as well as Palestinians in the diaspora bearing daily witness to the atrocities. Based on this she examined policy, accountability and broader implications for the Question of Palestine. Last but not least, Dr. Hammouri spoke passionately about the implications of the recent judgments of the International Court of Justice in both the Genocide case launched by South Africa and the Advisory Opinion on the illegality of the occupation, including the duty to implement an arms embargo, the right of return, and the prevention of genocide, as well as the role of third states in addressing complicity and accountability. On the occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, ARDD extends its greetings and solidarity to the steadfast Palestinian People in occupied Palestine and elsewhere in the world and renews its pledge to work relentlessly towards justice, accountability and decolonisation.
Panel discussion emphasizes the role of women in decision-making, peace, and rebuilding
Within the framework of the annual international campaign to combat violence against women and girls (16-Day Campaign), and within the theme of the women, peace, and security agenda, the Jordanian National Commission for Women and the Arab Renaissance for Democracy and Development (ARDD), with the support of UN Women, held on Tuesday, 26 November 2024, a panel discussion entitled: “The role of Jordanian efforts in supporting the resilience of women in armed conflicts and wars”. Introducing the session, the Secretary General of the Committee, Eng. Maha Ali, said that this year’s campaign is held under the slogan: “Together to prevent violence against women and girls in peace and war”, and that it addresses various forms of violence, including domestic, economic, political and digital violence, in addition to violence in wars and conflicts. Eng. Maha also indicated that this session, in which participate several deputies and representatives of official, military, and security institutions, as well as civil society organizations that are members of the National Plan Coalition to activate Security Council Resolution 1324 on women, peace, and security, was dedicated to highlighting the great Jordanian efforts in supporting our Palestinian brothers and sisters through providing and letting in humanitarian and medical aid, and the role of Jordanian women in supporting national efforts by providing medical and mental health aid, given the double suffering of women in Gaza under the ongoing genocide and humanitarian catastrophe. In turn, the representative of UN Women in Jordan, Nicholas Burniat, pointed out that Jordan has become the focal point for the response in providing humanitarian and medical aid and bringing it into Gaza, especially given the significant restrictions on the entry of aid to the Strip, indicating that the world is approaching the 25th anniversary of the UN Security Council Resolution on Women, Security, and Peace 1325 next year, which indicates that women are affected by conflicts and wars differently, but at the same time they must have an important role in decision-making processes by avoiding conflicts, establishing peace, and rebuilding. To shed light on the role of women in combating violence against women in armed conflicts, through the provision of medical and psychological support services, the panel discussion was attended by the President of the Arab Women Doctors’ Associations, Dr. Maysam Akroush, Obstetrics and Gynecology Consultant, Dr. Aseel Al-Jallad, and the Chairperson of the Administrative Board of the Association for Victims of Domestic Violence, Dalia Al-Faruqi, while the session was moderated by the coordinator of networks at ARDD, Iman Abu Qaoud. Dr. Akroush spoke about the founding of the Arab Women Medical Association as one of the initiatives that support the women’s medical sector, which in turn established a joint work system to support women in conditions of war and crises, especially with regard to reproductive and preventive health within the framework of effective community awareness, indicating that the Association launched a specialized digital medical platform to support women’s mental and physical health, and for families in the Gaza Strip, as well as coordinating with the Hashemite Charity Organization, the Ministry of Health in Gaza, and UNRWA, to get medicine and medical needs into the Strip, especially insulin. Akroush indicated that the platform includes 30 doctors and 9 psychiatrists, pointing out that the platform is being developed to provide a medical educational program for medical students who have lost access to education in the Gaza Strip, in coordination with the University of Jordan. Regarding her volunteering journey and supervising the treatment of hundreds of Gazan women and hundreds of childbirths in the Gaza Strip, Dr. Al-Jallad, who volunteered in the Gaza Strip as the first female doctor from the Jordanian private sector, pointed out that Gazan women are displaced with their families at a rate of 3-4 times and up to 10 times, indicating in the same regard that Gazan women suffer from complex health conditions and deprivation of health care, and that many females have had to assume the role of mothers due to the loss of their families and having to care for other family members. Dr. Al-Jallad explained that about one million Gazan women suffer from the lack of health services and lack of privacy, stressing the importance of providing the Gaza Strip with gynecologists to alleviate the suffering of women in Gaza, at a time when women often receive medical care from male doctors who do not consider women’s needs and “psychological conditions” as female doctors do. As for the Association for Victims of Domestic Violence, Al-Faruqi pointed out that the association was established in 1998, and works in the fields of raising awareness about issues of violence against women and supporting women who are mentally and socially abused, citing the association’s work in supporting the families of victims of the terrorist bombings in Amman in 2005, which resulted in forming a specialized support team from official and voluntary bodies and civil society. Al-Faruqi also noted that the association has a special program that targets women survivors of violence, who have undergone administrative detention, within a specialized aftercare program. Finally, participants in the session recommended providing psychological support to women and girls in societies witnessing conflicts and wars, with a focus on the role of civil society institutions in addressing violence against women and supporting their resilience. They also called on the international community to exert efforts to end wars and conflicts and ensure the continuation of peacebuilding efforts to prevent them, in addition to prioritizing the protection and empowerment of women and girls, ensuring that their voices are heard, and supporting their rights.
Enhancing Localization: Strengthening JONAF’s Governance Validation Workshop
Members of the Jordan National NGO forum (JONAF) participated in reviewing JONAF’S governance framework and future steps, represented in determining its structure and membership criteria, increasing the number of members, continuing to implement the objectives of the alliance, as well as ensuring the active participation of all members and exchanging information among them, diagnosing priority strategic issues, promoting the localization of humanitarian and development work, and representing members before external strategic partners and international organizations. This came during a workshop held by the Arab Renaissance for Democracy and Development (ARDD) and JONAF, on Sunday, November 24, 2024, within the framework of the project “Future Forward: Unlocking Sustainable Local Opportunities”, funded by the European Regional Development and Protection Programme to support Jordan and Lebanon. The project aims to develop a robust governance structure and standard operating procedures to institutionalize JONAF, as well as strengthening the localization of Jordan’s livelihoods sector through a multi-faceted approach focused on building the capacity of the local civil society. Lina Halasa, Project Manager at ARDD, stressed the need to institutionalize collective efforts by strengthening JONAF’s governance structure and institutional capacities to strengthen its capacity to lead the implementation of a local humanitarian agenda in the field of aid delivery, strengthen dialogue with local and international stakeholders, increase efficiency, and enhance accountability to ensure aid and development efforts are better designed to meet the needs of local communities. Regarding the governance framework of the alliance, Eng. Zainab Al-Khalil, Program Manager at ARDD and coordinator of JONAF, explained that the alliance was established in 2016 with the aim to activate the localization and decentralization of humanitarian and development work, as well as emphasizing the role of women as an active element in security and peace, indicating that local associations are the most able to touch upon the needs of their communities, apply humanitarian standards, and reach out to beneficiaries such as the elderly and persons with disabilities, which was evident during the preparedness and response plans for seasonal, emergency, or crisis assistance. Al-Khalil pointed out that the coalition currently includes about 50 organizations covering the central, northern, and southern regions of Jordan, including a variety of civil society groups, community-based organizations, and founding partners. Membership criteria have been developed to ensure that each organization understands its roles and responsibilities within the Alliance. She also explains that the expansion of JONAF’S membership and its organizational structure reflects a commitment to inclusiveness and sustainable community participation, which contributes to the promotion of peace, security, and development in Jordan, stressing the importance of adopting a participatory approach that ensures that the voices of all members are heard, and which enhances their role in formulating governance in a way that reflects their needs and ensures that the governance emanates from them, especially as this approach supports the development of a fair and inclusive organizational structure that addresses local challenges more effectively. For her part, Iman Abu Qaoud, Network Officer at ARDD, stressed the importance of focusing on the Alliance’s presence in all governorates, holding activities in them, and creating motivation to support and sustain political, civil, and economic participation projects, while increasing JONAF’s participation in international and local coordination platforms. Meanwhile, extensive discussions took place among the members of the alliance, during which they stressed the role of JONAF in the emergency response plan for seasonal or emergency crises, as well as ARDD’s support for their participation in the implementation of UN Resolution No. 1325 to address the humanitarian impact during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the need to enhance the knowledge of local organizations in the fields of advocacy and strategy building, and support initiatives that improve the livelihoods of local communities, especially those serving women and families from refugee communities, as well as encouraging and sustaining small and medium income-generating enterprises, leading up to the need to give civil society organizations an active role in policy-making.
Jabal Amman: A model of social and cultural fabric that embodies values, traditions, and identity
The social and cultural history of Jabal Amman is a rich reflection of the diversity of cultures, traditions, and values among its inhabitants, as its distinctive character embodied the spirit of the area and its development. This history has shaped people’s relationship with the place, giving it a unique identity and a vibrant memory, manifested in the various aspects of art and culture. The preservation of cultural heritage through civic participation, especially by young people, is a guarantee that future generations can appreciate this rich heritage and contribute to its continuity. Several programs have proven successful in this field, such as Shoman Cultural Days, implemented in partnership with the Jabal Amman Old Neighborhood Residents Association (Jara), which has contributed to engaging residents in preserving cultural traditions through music, art, and academic participation. In this context, the Arab Renaissance for Democracy and Development (ARDD) held the fourth panel discussion of the “Jabal Amman: Past, Present, and Future” initiative, entitled: “The Social and Cultural Fabric”, on Monday, November 18, 2024. The session was moderated by the consultant at ARDD, Eng. Marah Khayat. Regarding the Jara Association, vice president of the association, Khader Qawas, pointed out that the association was established with the aim of preserving the heritage and character of the old Jabal Amman neighborhood, and works to introduce the neighborhood and its historical, artistic, and cultural origins, as well as preserving part of its cultural heritage. On the Jara street market and its cultural and heritage importance, Qawas said: “The Jara street Market, which was launched in 2005, brings together the residents of the Kingdom as a whole. Most of the participants are women from the local community, interested in heritage and arts. They display their products every Friday, with the aim of bringing life back to Rainbow Street and Jabal Amman, this ancient area with its inhabitants, buildings, and streets.” Qawas stressed the importance of introducing the new generation to the Jabal Amman area and its heritage markets, pointing out that JARA keeps in touch with the local community through cooperation with schools, such as Al-Ahlia School. This cooperation resulted in the establishment of the “Haretna” festival, with the aim of reviving the social and cultural fabric in the area. As for Jabal Amman as an incubator for culture and population diversity, the founder and general manager of Jabal Amman Publishers and Kotobi platform, Dr. Sinan Sweis, considered that the Jabal Amman area carried a culture of diversity, openness, and a spirit of partnership since its inception, and also constituted a model for the concept of the neighborhood, pointing out that Amman was a living example of the fusion of Arab cultures. According to Sweis, having grown up in the Jabal Amman area, he pointed out that there have been great societal transformations that have taken place in the area, especially since it has been characterized by a strong and interconnected social fabric since ancient times, as large families of different races and religions built their homes there, and these homes have now become heritage sites, not to mention that the inhabitants of the area were known for their kindness, affection, humility, and cooperation on all occasions, in addition to the culture of productivity and leadership among the residents of the neighborhood, which has turned into a consumer culture today. Finally, the participants in the session underscored the importance of reviving the cultural and social heritage in Jabal Amman, and sparking the interest of young people in the old areas and neighborhoods of their city, as well as the importance of developing, restoring, and preserving neighborhoods, which requires a comprehensive study of the area that includes all elements. It is also necessary to collect information and documents on the neighborhood’s experience related to the cultural and social fabric, and about the history and civilization of the neighborhood, in order to enhance the skills of new generations, and encourage youth cultural initiatives in order to contribute to the sustainability of cultural and social work and preserve the Ammani identity that has been distinguished throughout history.
National Alliance for Combating Narcotics Calls for Supporting Security Efforts in Addressing Drug Smuggling Threats from the North and South of the Kingdom
As the Jordanian border witnesses a significant escalation in the operations to thwart drug smuggling across the border, in conjunction with the military tensions in the region, starting with the Israeli war on Gaza to the escalation in Lebanon, the Kingdom is facing a new scenario in which the southern region has become a frontier for drug trafficking, after it was long confined to the northern region. In this context, security and military experts stress the need to harness all capacities and capabilities to confront drug trafficking which “targets national security”, as several cases have been recorded over the past few months confirming that the southern region has become a point of smuggling and importing narcotic substances, they said. This came during a meeting organized by the Arab Renaissance for Democracy and Development (ARDD), on November 12, 2024, with member of the National Alliance for Combatting Narctics in Jordan, retired Major General Dr. Ammar Al-Qudah, to talk about his vision and action plan regarding anti-narcotics efforts as a member of the Upper House of Parliament, and with the participation of members of the alliance, which is affiliated with the Justice Sector Support Forum. For his part, retired Major General Tayel al-Majali, head of the alliance, said that “Jordan and the region are real targets for drug trafficking, as we are in a real state of war with drug traffickers on the northern and southern borders between the authorities and international gangs, using the latest means and equipment such as drones, which are supposed to be owned exclusively by official bodies and armies.” Al-Majali called for the need to use the punishment for drug abuse in a way that achieves public deterrence, by adding an offence to the record of the drug abuser temporarily, for a year for example, and if they manage to quit drugs during that year, the offence will be removed from their record, so that they can continue to reform themselves and rectify their behavior. In turn, Al-Qudah stressed the importance of providing studies that show the extent of drug prevalence and abuse in the Kingdom, as there is a noticeable increase in crimes committed due to drug abuse, which requires -according to him- concerted efforts and cooperation between all segments of society, starting with families, to universities, schools, places of worship, and others to raise awareness of the seriousness of this scourge on young people. Regarding the National Strategy for the Prevention of the Scourge of Drugs 2024-2026, the attendees indicated that the Anti-narcotics Department, in cooperation with all partners concerned in the implementation of the strategy, is working diligently to reach the desired goal of launching this strategy, which came under the directives of the King, stressing the importance of the family’s role in protecting their children from drug abuse by raising their awareness and keeping an eye on their psychological condition. Meanwhile, extensive discussions took place among the members of the alliance, where they focused on the need for concerted security, governmental, and civil efforts, including the media, civil society institutions, and experts in this regard, especially with the emergence of narcotic substances containing chemicals that are dangerous to humans. They also stressed the importance of holding more meetings and consultations to integrate efforts in this regard, and that it is necessary to provide special care to juveniles, ensure the continuation of aftercare for drug users after the treatment journey, as well as focusing on educating school and university students about this scourge and including the risks of drug abuse in school curricula. In conclusion, according to the members, there is a need to invest the membership of the Alliance in the national strategy for the prevention of the drug scourge and its effective role to contribute to reducing the drug problem and working to strengthen joint coordination and concerted efforts with official and civil institutions to secure response tools when needed, in addition to working to raise institutional awareness about the developments of the issue from all aspects, developing collective perceptions of possible solutions, and responding to domestic and regional crises.
جلسة للنهضة العربية (أرض): السياحة المجتمعية كسبيل لتحقيق التنمية المستدامة ورفاه المجتمعات
يمكن للسياحة في المناطق الحضرية أن تكون أداة قوية للنمو الاقتصادي المحلي، غير أنها تحتاج أيضاً إلى إدارتها بعناية للحفاظ على الطابع الثقافي والتاريخي فيها. وفي جبل عمّان، الذي يعد من أقدم أحياء العاصمة، جلبت السياحة فوائد اقتصادية كثيرة على الحيّ وزادت من بروز المكان وظهوره. في هذا الإطار، وحول أهمية تطوير قطاع السياحة واستدامته في الأردن ككل وجبل عمّان تحديداً، يقول رئيس مجلس شركة فنادق البحر الميت، ورئيس لجنة جبل عمّان، العين ميشيل نزال: “إن تعزيز السياحة المجتمعية في جبل عمّان ليس ممكناً فقط، بل هو ضروري للحفاظ على روح الحيّ وثقافته وحيويته الاقتصادية، وذلك من خلال دعم الأعمال المحلية، وإشراك المجتمع بشكل مباشر في تقديم التجربة السياحية وتطويرها. وبذلك ينعكس على الشعور بالملكية، ويمكننا بناء نموذج سياحي متكامل وشامل”. جاء ذلك خلال الجلسة الحوارية الثالثة ، لمبادرة “جبل عمّان: الماضي والحاضر والمستقبل” والتي حملت عنوان: “السياحة”، الإثنين 11 تشرين الثاني/ نوفمبر 2024، وأدارتها المستشارة في منظمة النهضة العربية للديمقراطية والتنمية (أرض)، المهندسة مرح خياط. وأكد نزال أن الأردن لديه تاريخ وتراث مهم منذ القدم، وهو ما يعتبر قيمة إضافية لاستمرارية السياحة فيه، مبيناً أن إنشاء الفنادق في عمّان شكلت دخل سياحي متكامل وتطور اقتصادي على مستوى البلد، مما يستدعي التطوير والتجديد بشكل دائم لجذب السياحة الداخلية والخارجية. وحول أهمية السياحة القائمة على المجتمع وتعزيز استدامتها، أوضح نزال أهمية البعد الاقتصادي للمبادرات السياحية ومساهمته في انفتاح المجتمع، مع ضرورة التركيز على المشاركة المحلية في قطاع السياحة، مما يضمن تدفق العوائد الاقتصادية إلى سكان المنطقة. وبشأن الاستراتيجيات التي يمكن أن تجعل السياحة المجتمعية ناجحة، وبالاستناد إلى نماذج ملهمة حول العالم، شدد نزال على ضرورة التخطيط التشاركي واتخاذ القرارات بالتعاون مع المجتمع المحلي، إلى جانب تطبيق إجراءات تخفيف الضرائب والإيجارات لسكان المنطقة ودعم المشاريع الصغيرة، وصولاً إلى تعزيز شراكات سياحية مستدامة مع الجهات المعنية. وبخصوص ضرورة الاستفادة من تجارب الدول التي طبقت نماذج السياحة المستدامة بنجاح، نقل العين نزال تجربة “كيوتو” في اليابان، حيث يعمل السكان مع المسؤولين لتطبيق قواعد سلوكية تحافظ على التراث الثقافي للمدينة، كما وضعت برشلونة خطة لتحسين تنقل السياح وتقليل الازدحامات المرورية، لا سيما في المناطق التاريخية، وفي كوبنهاغن تم تشجيع السياحة المستدامة من خلال استخدام الدراجات بدلًا من السيارات، لافتاً إلى أن كل من هذه المدن وجدت طرقاً لحماية تراثها وتعزيز جودة حياة سكانها، ويمكن لجبل عمّان أن يتبنى هذه النماذج في سياقة الخاص. وفي ما يتعلق، بالآثار والتراث والهوية في عمّان، وجبل عمّان خاصة، أوضحت نهى مبيضين، وهي محاضرة ومنسقة برنامج الإرشاد السياحي في كلية عمون الجامعية التطبيقية، أن السياحة وهوية المنطقة بينهما ارتباط كبير، وخصوصاً أن الأردن يحتوي على معالم حضارية وتراثية نادرة، داعية في هذا السياق، الشباب، التعرف على هذه المعالم، والتركيز على تطوير تجربة سياحية تفاعلية تشمل رواية القصة المتعلقة بالأماكن التاريخية في جبل عمّان وتسويقها، مشددة على أهمية حماية الإرث الفكري والثقافي والفني في مناطق جبل عمّان، والاهتمام بدعمها والمحافظة على ديمومتها التي ساهمت في نهضة المملكة وذاكرتها. وبين نقاشات المشاركون الشباب والمتحدثين، جرى التأكيد على ضرورة تشجيع دور الشباب في المشاركة المدنية لتطوير القطاع السياحي في المنطقة، ودعم توفير الغرف الفندقية كجزء أساسي من نمو القطاع السياحي، وكذلك التركيز على دور السياحة في دعم اقتصاديات المجتمعات المحلية، إضافة إلى تعزيز التعاون بين وزارة السياحة والمؤسسات المتخصصة. وأوصوا بأهمية تدريب المرشدين السياحيين لتقديم شروحات شاملة للسياح والإجابة عن الأسئلة المتعلقة بثقافتنا، وترويج الشباب للأماكن والمنتجات المحلية عبر مواقع التواصل الاجتماعي لإضفاء لمسة شخصية وجعلها أكثر جذبًا للسياح، مع ضرورة زيادة الوعي بالمواقع السياحية المحلية والحضارات التي مرت عبر الأردن وأهميتها التاريخية بين أفراد المجتمع وصولاً لإنشاء لجان محلية تضم سكان وأصحاب الأعمال في جبل عمّان للمشاركة في صنع السياسات والقرارات.
Panel Discussion by ARDD: Environmental sustainability requires effective practices and strategies
The second panel discussion of the “Jabal Amman: Past, Present, and Future” initiative, entitled “Environment”, concluded that “the issue of environmental sustainability is one of the main challenges faced by societies, and one that requires adopting effective strategies at all levels: the individual level, the societal level, and the policy level, to protect the environment, manage natural resources, and ensure a better future for the coming generations.” The participants in the session, which was held on Monday, November 4, 2024, within the activities of the “Hope is a Picture That’s worth a Thousand Words ” project, sponsored by the Swiss Embassy in Jordan, and moderated by Advisor at the Arab Renaissance for Democracy and Development (ARDD), Eng. Marah Khayyat, stressed the need for waste management and paying attention for water management in Jordan in general and in Jabal Amman in particular through a set of technological innovations, as well as enhancing community participations and youth participation in these efforts. Addressing water management and promoting sustainable urban practices are key to ensure the resilience of the neighbourhood in the future, as environmental management in urban areas focuses on the sustainable use of resources, reducing pollution and preserving green spaces. This includes waste management, water conservation, and environmentally friendly infrastructure development. For Jabal Amman, effective and sustainable environmental strategies must be adopted to ensure the preservation of its distinctive heritage character, through initiatives that encourage recycling, proper waste disposal, and renewable energy solutions. With regard to the water and environmental situation in the Kingdom in general and Jabal Amman in particular, Mai Al-Qusi, Water and Environment Engineer at the United Nations Human Settlements Program, stated that Jordan ranks second in the world in terms of water scarcity and per capita share, after Kuwait ranked first, which requires finding solutions for sustainable development through the construction of green buildings, the development of biological yards, the establishment of pools for water collection and rain gardens for water harvesting, and increasing community participation by all segments of society by incorporating awareness about water management into school curricula, and imposing laws to prevent wasting water through sustainable solutions. Waste management is another important environmental issue in Jabal Amman, especially in light of the growing population and busy tourist and commercial activities. Effective waste management is essential to maintain the beauty and cleanliness of the area, while ensuring the sustainability of its social and cultural life. During the recent Jabal Amman Committee meeting, waste management was identified as a major concern, particularly in areas such as Souq Jara and Rainbow Street, where commercial activity generates a huge amount of waste. In this context, and with regard to waste management and the importance of community initiatives to encourage residents to sort and reduce waste, environmental activist and creator of the “Zero Waste” initiative, Amal Madanat, spoke about her initiative, which was launched in 2011, saying: “I started recording and reading about all the materials I use in my life, keeping track of everything I threw in the waste bin, only to discover the negative effects of plastic products used in food and drink to health, to the environment, and to all living things.” She then added: “I passed my experience on to my relatives, friends, and neighbours, but the results were not as big as I expected. However, the coincidence of having a school next to my place of residence allowed me to sort waste and collect recyclable materials with students, their mothers, and women from the local community.” Madanat stressed the importance of focusing on the humanitarian and health aspect related to the environment, especially since the environmental and waste management concern has multiple dimensions (economic, religious, and touristic). She focused on spreading awareness about the waste sorting and collection process, saying: “Hand in hand, the new generation can make a change.” In turn, the young participants stressed the need to support young people’s ideas and initiatives in the field of environmental sustainability, as well as applying the principle of accountability at the level of individuals, society, and policies, in addition to the importance of preparing and publishing studies to identify needs, solutions, and alternatives. Participants also agreed to design and implement a waste management initiative in Jabal Amman.