Jordan Times
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Government establishes youth commission
AMMAN (JT) — His Majesty King Abdullah received a
letter from Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit on Monday, responding to a letter from
the King last week directing the government to establish a youth commission
functioning under the Communication Council of the We are All Jordan Forum.
In his reply, Bakhit referred to the government’s decision to establish the
body, “which comes in implementation of the King’s vision... regarding the need
to activate youth participation in public life.”
Bakhit also highlighted other steps taken by the government to achieve this
goal, including the Youth Parliament, which is designed as a platform of
democratic dialogue among the younger generation, the Jordan News Agency, Petra,
reported.
Earlier this month, the Monarch directed the government to establish the We are
All Jordan Youth Commission to enhance young people’s role in socio-economic and
political plans targeting them.
The We are All Jordan Forum, which brought together 700 experts, incumbent and
former officials and lawmakers, was held in July to set the country’s top
priorities within the context of a national consensus over issues Jordan should
address in order to meet domestic, regional and international challenges.
Following the forum meetings, the King directed the government to establish the
We are All Jordan Commission, to follow up on recommendations set by the forum.
The commission comprises representatives of government and civil society
institutions.
In his letter to the prime minister on October 8, the King highlighted the need
for an effective role for young people and their participation in all national
affairs.
The King said the decision to establish the youth commission was in line with
recommendations of the forum, adding that its members should support
youth-oriented programmes and initiatives at the national level.
The aim was to “build a generation of young leaders who are able to take Jordan
to advanced stages of prosperity, modernisation and development,” the Monarch
said.
In addition to frequent meetings and discussions with groups of young people,
the King acted as patron of the first and second Jordan Youth Forum in 2003 and
2004.
The King addressed both meetings, stressing the importance of sustaining
communication and productive partnership between students and civil society
institutions.