Empowering youth, women through cultural industries in Jordan Valley

SHONEH — The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Jordan today held the “Safe Pathways for Youth and Women through Creative and Cultural Industries (CCI)” event in the Jordan Valley. #

This comes as part of the newly launched “Safe Pathways for ‘at-risk’ Youth and Women in Jordan” project, which is being supported by the Government of Japan to capitalise on the unique socio-cultural ecosystem and development opportunities that exist in the Jordan Valley, according to a statement for The Jordan Times. 

By targeting the Jordan Valley, the event recognises the region’s distinct cultural heritage and the potential for Creative and Cultural Industries (CCIs) to serve as alternative safe pathways for community development. Moreover, it aligns with UNDP’s Jordan Valley Green Economic Corridor flagship initiative, a comprehensive development portfolio in the area worth over USD 1.1 billion. 

The event, which was organised in collaboration with "iDare for Sustainable Development", a leading NGO in youth engagement and innovation, began at the South Shoneh Chamber of Commerce, where stakeholders and official representatives, including the Head of Economic and Development Cooperation from the Japanese Embassy, Higuchi Masatoshi, shared their insights about the project’s alignment with Jordan’s Economic Modernisation Vision (2022-2033). 

Discussions also focused on the integration of CCIs into national strategies and showcased key initiatives such as vocational training and a digital learning platform. Participants then toured the Jordan Valley Development Association for the second part of the event, which featured youth-led interactive sessions, offering hands-on experiences in creative fields, namely 3D printing, media content creation, green CCIs, and other innovative pathways in the creative economy, the statement said. 

The event also included a presentation of research findings on the needs and opportunities for CCIs in the Jordan Valley, which will pave the way for the next phase of the project to accelerate the region’s growth and innovation. Commenting on the project in a written message, Okuyama Jiro, Ambassador of Japan to Jordan, stated “Given the high unemployment rate among youth, especially young women, and the increase in drug-related cases, the Government of Japan recognises the importance of protecting and empowering vulnerable individuals in the Jordan Valley. 

Through targeted initiatives such as vocational training, digital literacy, and creative livelihood opportunities, this project serves as a vital step toward addressing these challenges and advancing the goals of Jordan’s Economic Modernisation Vision.” For her part, Randa Aboul-Hosn, the UNDP Jordan Resident Representative, emphasised that “Creative and Cultural Industries represent a powerful tool for economic empowerment. By engaging youth and women in these industries, we are not only addressing socio-economic challenges but also unlocking their potential to drive sustainable development.” 

The event brought together representatives from the Embassy of Japan, UNDP, local governments, private sector organizations, community-based organizations, media, and young men and women aged 18–30 from the Jordan Valley, according to the statement.