Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah Patrons the Launch of Youth:Work Jordan
Read All PostsUnder the Royal Patronage of Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah II, Youth:Work Jordan (YWJ), a major new initiative investing in Jordan’s underserved youth, was launched Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at the Royal Cultural Center. In attendance were over 300 representatives from the Jordanian government, the private sector, and the NGO community, including 80 youth leaders.
Youth: Work Jordan is a five-year, youth-led and community-based program that improves livelihoods and provides support for the long-term development of Jordan’s youth. YWJ was developed in partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Ministry of Social Development (MoSD), and the International Youth Foundation (IYF).
With funding from USAID, IYF is working with the MoSD and Jordanian NGOs to improve social services for youth in targeted neighborhoods, with an overarching focus on boosting the employability and civic engagement of Jordan’s youth. Reflecting their vital role in the development and implementation of the overall program, one youth participant at the launch event said: “We can build, we can plant, we can be creative, we can invent, but one hand alone cannot clap. That’s why we need your support.”
The first phase of YWJ, to be implemented over the next two years, targets two neighborhoods in each of the following communities: Khreibet Al Souq and Nuzha in East Amman; Ma’soum and Hussein in Zarqa; Awajan and Musheirfeh in Russeifeh; Al Turkman and Al Shamali in Irbid; Shamiyeh and Abu Baker in Ma’an; and Mallaha and Waqqas in Jordan Valley.
The launch event opened with a short documentary film capturing the daily lives and challenges faced by young Jordanians in these neighborhoods. The film also highlighted core activities and strategies to achieve YWJ objectives, as well as the roles of the program’s key partners and stakeholders.
After the film, youth participants from YWJ’s target neighborhoods used music, humor and artistic visuals to express their needs and aspirations and reflect the everyday hardships they face. In addition to representing YWJ’s neighborhoods, these youth will play a leadership role as members of the YWJ Youth Neighborhood Committees that have been established under the program.
The committees are actively working with YWJ’s implementing partners to ensure that youth voices from the program’s target neighborhoods are reflected in all aspects of program design, planning and implementation.
At the end of the launch event, Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah visited “YWJ community neighborhood booths” where the youth were given the opportunity to personally share with her their ideas and hopes for the future.
The youth also showcased the small community development projects they have already begun with YWJ in their neighborhoods, and discussed their dedication, commitment and plans for the program as members of YWJ youth committees.