Intermediaries of Change Center for Sustainable Development is organizing a youth dialogue meeting with the Youth, Sports and Culture Committee in the House of Representatives to discuss the reality of youth in Ajloun Governorate.
Intermediaries of Change Center for Sustainable Development , in partnership with Sawt Ajloun Community Radio, in cooperation with the German Rosa Luxemburg Foundation, and with the participation of members of the “Reef Safe Youth Space,” organized a youth dialogue meeting that brought together youth leaders with members of the Youth, Sports and Culture Committee of the House of Representatives. The meeting was attended by His Excellency MP Malek Al-Tahrawi and His Excellency MP Moataz Al-Hourat. The meeting discussed the situation of youth in Ajloun Governorate, ways to strengthen their participation in public life and decision-making, and follow-up on the recommendations included in the policy papers developed by youth leaders as part of the project.
This meeting is part of the efforts of the “Reef Safe Youth Space” project to expand safe political spaces that enable youth to engage directly with decision-makers, strengthen their participation in shaping public policies and following up on their implementation, and align with the Political Modernization Vision, which emphasizes expanding youth participation in political and public life, as well as the Economic Modernization Vision, which focuses on investing in human capital and empowering youth to contribute to sustainable economic and social development, particularly in governorates and rural communities.
His Excellency MP Malek Al-Tahrawi emphasized the importance of strengthening direct dialogue with youth and listening to their views and proposals, recognizing them as key partners in the development process and decision-making. He noted that the House of Representatives places significant emphasis on developing legislation and policies that promote the political, economic, and social empowerment of youth and create a supportive environment for them to unleash their potential and creativity, in line with the Royal visions and national modernization efforts. He also emphasized that dialogue meetings bringing together youth and the House of Representatives represent a model of institutional partnership, contributing to strengthening a culture of political dialogue and enhancing youth participation in discussing national issues and shaping legislation and public policies.
His Excellency MP Moataz Al-Hourat emphasized that investing in youth is a fundamental pillar for achieving sustainable development. He stressed the importance of expanding opportunities for their participation in public life, strengthening their presence in political spaces, and supporting programs that develop their leadership and political skills and align them with labor market needs. He also highlighted the importance of strengthening partnerships with youth initiatives and civil society organizations to achieve sustainable development impact across the governorates.
For his part, Ahmed Abdelqader, Director of the “Reef Safe Youth Space” project, explained that this meeting is a continuation of the series of dialogue meetings implemented by the project with stakeholders and decision-makers, with the aim of following up on the recommendations developed by youth leaders and working to translate them into practical actions and actionable policies. He added that the project aims to build youth capacities in political dialogue, advocacy, policy paper development, public policy analysis, and communication with decision-makers, while enhancing their political and civic participation by providing safe political spaces for dialogue and engagement with national issues. He emphasized that investing in young people’s potential and empowering them to access positions of influence and decision-making is one of the key pillars of sustainable development.
For her part, Shatha Khattab, a member of the “Reef Safe Youth Space” and facilitator of the meeting, noted that the meeting highlights the importance of providing safe political spaces that enable youth to express their views and present their priorities directly to decision-makers. She emphasized that participatory dialogue is an effective tool for enhancing youth political participation and fostering a culture of dialogue, social responsibility, and active citizenship. She also noted that the recommendations presented by the youth leaders during the meeting were the result of a series of dialogues and community consultations conducted by the “Reef Safe Youth Space” project. They reflected the key needs and aspirations of youth in Ajloun Governorate in the areas of political, cultural, and sports participation, as well as local development.
During the meeting, participants discussed the situation of youth in Ajloun Governorate and the challenges they face in the areas of political participation, culture, sports, employment, and capacity building. They also explored ways to develop national legislation and policies that support youth, strengthen partnerships between public institutions and civil society organizations, expand young people’s access to cultural, sports, and development programs in the governorates, and enhance their role in national dialogue and public policymaking.
The meeting featured an open dialogue between members of the Youth, Sports and Culture Committee and youth leaders. Members of the “Reef Safe Youth Space” presented the key recommendations outlined in the policy papers they developed, focusing on expanding youth participation in political spaces, strengthening their representation in decision-making processes, developing legislation and policies that support youth empowerment, supporting youth initiatives and volunteer work, expanding capacity-building programs, and developing cultural and sports services in the governorates to ensure equitable access to opportunities and services.
Representatives of the Ajloun Youth Directorate, youth activists, and local civil society organizations also emphasized that strengthening safe political spaces is a key entry point for enabling youth to participate effectively in public life and public policymaking. This aligns with political modernization efforts and contributes to consolidating the principles of participation, dialogue, and partnership between youth and decision-makers.
They highlighted the importance of investing in youth leadership development and strengthening their capacities in dialogue, advocacy, policy paper development, and public engagement, enabling them to represent the issues of their local communities and advocate for their priorities through institutional channels. They also stressed the need to expand partnerships among government institutions, civil society organizations, and the private sector to support youth initiatives and enhance opportunities for economic, social, and cultural participation, in line with the Economic Modernization Vision, which emphasizes investment in human capital and empowering youth to lead sustainable development processes, particularly in governorates and rural areas, including Ajloun Governorate.
Members of the “Reef Safe Youth Space” emphasized that the meeting represented an important milestone in the institutional dialogue with the legislative authority, providing youth with an opportunity to present their priorities and recommendations directly to members of the House of Representatives. They stressed the importance of institutionalizing and sustaining safe political spaces to ensure follow-up on recommendations and their translation into policies and actionable programs that enhance youth participation in decision-making and reinforce their role as active partners in local and national development.
It is worth noting that the “Reef Safe Youth Space” project is implemented by Intermediaries of Change Center for Sustainable Development in partnership with Sawt Ajloun Community Radio, and in cooperation with the German Rosa Luxemburg Foundation. The project aims to strengthen youth participation in political spaces and build their capacities in political dialogue and advocacy, in line with Jordan’s Political Modernization Vision, Economic Modernization Vision, and sustainable development goals.
