Khaberni - Minister of Political and Parliamentary Affairs Abdul Monem Al-Oudat launched the project "Dialogues for Enhancing the Participation of Jordanian University Students in Political Life" from the University of Jordan, which is implemented by the ministry in partnership with the Arab World Center for Democratic Development and Human Rights in cooperation with the Hans Seidel Foundation, on Thursday, attended by the president of the University of Jordan, Dr. Nidhal Obaidat, and several members of the administrative and teaching staff, and students from the Prince Hussein bin Abdullah II College of Political Science and International Studies.
During the launch, Al-Oudat confirmed that the Modernization project with its three paths is a comprehensive national project, which renews the state from within, enhances its ability to keep up with changes and preserve its achievements with a comprehensive vision to expand popular participation and empower youth to be true partners in decision-making, as democracy is not built on slogans but through conscious practice and responsible engagement in party and parliamentary life.
He pointed out that the modernization process is not new to the state's approach, but a characteristic feature of its continuity, to develop the pathways and correct imbalances, through which the state derives its strength, immunity, and vitality. Jordan, under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein and his crown prince, the trustee, has managed to turn challenges into opportunities and achievements, and a model in the state of law and institutions, which protects rights, preserves human dignity, and maintains its security, stability, and achievements.
Al-Oudat noted that conscious party life is the broader school in honing the political and intellectual personality of youth, and contributes to instilling values of effective citizenship, sincere affiliation, and the Jordanian national identity among them, which are the paths toward enhancing the principle of the rule of law and establishing the culture of collective and institutional work.
He praised the role of the University of Jordan, as a home for thought and a meeting place for generations, and a platform for dialogue, which cements among its students a culture of constructive dialogue and difference, and prepares them to be leaders of opinion, initiative, and responsibility in a country that derives its strength from the awareness of its youth.
For his part, Obaidat confirmed that choosing the University of Jordan to host this national dialogue path embodies its intellectual and national status and its leading role in establishing a culture of responsible dialogue among youth. It has always been a cradle for creative minds and a source of critical thought that accompanies the state’s reform and modernization process.
He emphasized the university's commitment to enabling students to possess an influential voice and an effective presence in public affairs, in line with the royal vision to support youth and involve them in the political development process. The launch of student dialogues adds a qualitative enhancement to bolster the participation of youth in political and party life.
Obaidat noted that providing an opportunity for students to meet officials and thinkers represents a pivotal step in consolidating the culture of dialogue and conscious political engagement, indicating that the University of Jordan will be a permanent platform for hosting youth dialogues aimed at building awareness and enhancing national participation. He also expressed the university’s pride in its students and their achievements in academic and cultural presence and the activities on campus that reflect their awareness and positive engagement in the issues of their country.
On her part, Dr. Amira Mustafa, the director of the Arab World Center for Democratic Development and Human Rights, confirmed that the center places great importance on empowering university youth, believing in their pivotal role in building the future and making changes. She added that this meeting is the launch of a new national project that involves a series of dialogues that will be implemented by the center in cooperation with the Ministry of Political and Parliamentary Affairs and the Hans Seidel Foundation in various Jordanian universities, in all provinces; north, center, and south, starting from the University of Jordan "the mother university," reaffirming its leading role in supporting thought and dialogue, in harmony with the royal vision to enhance the role of youth in development and decision-making.
Christoph Duvaris, the resident representative of the Hans Seidel Foundation in the Amman office, referred to the fruitful partnership with the Ministry of Political and Parliamentary Affairs and its role in enhancing awareness of the values of participation, belonging, and social responsibility through university dialogues, workshops, training, and initiatives that connect knowledge to political practice, praising the wisdom of His Majesty the King in launching a comprehensive modernization process, which enhanced the participation of political parties and their role in the composition of the House of Representatives.
He noted the firm belief of the Hans Seidel Foundation that political parties should be fundamental pillars of any representative political system, supported by the shoulders of knowledge-empowered youth, which we launched today under the ministry’s sponsorship with the universities as a national program.
The session concluded with an extended dialogue between Minister Al-Oudat and the audience, discussing issues of youth and political participation, the concept of a programmatic party, and youth participation in the upcoming phase, the government's role in enhancing this participation, the challenges facing party work for university students, and the societal legacy around it.
