Jordan Times
Friday, September 1, 2006

Youth employment top concern, King tells forum

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah called on the younger generation to take part in solving the nation’s challenges during an event on Thursday to determine their opinion on obstacles facing the country.

Addressing some 800 young people at the inauguration of the preliminary meeting of the “We are All Jordan Youth Forum,” the King underlined the need for youth participation in the decision-making process and in building the future of the country.

“I want you to know that the concerns and fears you have about the availability of job opportunities top our priorities because this is the base of creating the model Jordan,” King Abdullah told the young people, who convened to determine the country’s priorities for development.

The youth forum is an offshoot of the “We are All Jordan Forum,” which was held last month with the participation of some 700 key figures from the political, economic and social fields with a view to set the country’s priorities.

Yesterday’s forum was designed to provide youth with an opportunity to set the country’s priorities as they see them.

Stressing his support for young people, the King added: “With your determination and insistence, we will build Jordan and preserve its accomplishments... entrenching democracy and pluralism that will lead to the creation of a civilised community capable of dealing with current developments and challenges.”

“To stand up to the different internal and external challenges, the first step is to preserve national unity... and to place the interests of Jordan on the top of all interests and considerations,” King Abdullah told the forum.

Officials briefed the participants on the various social, political and security challenges facing the country such as social development, the alleviation of poverty and unemployment, and terrorism.

The participants in Thursday’s forum split into working groups and ranked by priority the 15 issues presented and explained by event organisers.

They decided that combating corruption was the first priority followed by national security.

Creating jobs, combating poverty, mitigating the high cost of living and stamping out nepotism followed in importance for the participants.

The Monarch said a meeting would be held soon to follow up on the conclusions of the youth forum.