Jordan Times
Thursday, September 30, 2004
UNDP to support capacity
building of Political Development Ministry
AMMAN (JT) — A project to support the newly established Ministry of Political
Development was officially signed last week by the Ministry of Planning and
International Cooperation and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
In response to His Majesty King Abdullah's vision to enhance political
participation and dialogue in the Kingdom, the UNDP project will focus on
capacity building to support the Ministry of Political Development in developing
a national programme of action based upon the ministry's strategy, according to
a statement released by the UNDP.
The strategy seeks to increase political dialogue in the country among the
Parliament, political parties, professional associations, chambers of commerce
and industry, media organisations, intellectuals, artists, women's groups, youth
and religious leaders.
UNDP will assist the ministry in refining its strategy through a consultative
process in the form of a national conference with several thematic forums that
would include all parties concerned and key target groups such as women and
youth, the statement said.
In order to build and sustain dialogue between and among key stakeholders and
their constituents, the project has an ICT component as well which will include
the development of a web- site for the ministry.
The main beneficiaries of this project will be the ministry staff who will
obtain the technical assistance needed to successfully promote political
development in the Kingdom.
Political institutions in the country will benefit through increased
coordination and assistance provided by the ministry, the statement said.
Also benefiting will be all the citizens of the Kingdom, especially the
Ministry's target communities, who will ultimately be presented with improved
channels for participation in governance as well as training and encouragement
required for accepting new opportunities for political development.
The above project links with UNDP Country Programme Outline for Jordan
(2003-2007) which recommends as one of its three policy platforms, support for
administrative reform and especially efforts at enhancing transparency,
accountability and performance.