MPs, young Jordanians from Jerash discuss suggestions, concerns on youth participation in politics

AMMAN — Fifty young Jordanians, aged 16-25, attended the “Youth and Political Participation in Jerash Governorate” workshop, organised by the EU Support to Jordanian Democratic Institutions and Development (EU-JDID) programme.

As attendees discussed a variety of topics related to political participation, the Youth and Sports Committee’s chairman, MP Muhammad Hudeib, addressed the youths, encouraging them to participate in politics.

Parties still lack real youth participation, he noted.

“I strongly advise you... to start your own political parties and become an example for youth from other governorates,” Hudeib added.

In response, 18-year-old participant Areej Bani Mustafa said that youths “are always afraid of participating in political parties, which is why we need the support of the government”.

More so, “we don’t have channels to express our opinions and there is no governmental entity here to protect people who want to engage in political parties”, added Saad Al Marwsrah, 20.

Nonetheless, Hudeib reassured the youths that “the government’s view towards political parties has changed a lot over the last five decades, and I strongly encourage young people to be involved in this change, including through political parties”, Hudeib underlined.

After a short group brainstorming session, the attendees voiced their concerns and recommendations related to political participation, elections and civil engagement, including the need to amend the Election Law and support young people willing to engage in political endeavours.

Commenting on the participants’ suggestions to amend the Election Law, in order to allow younger people to be elected, MP Hazem Al Majali from Aqaba agreed, saying that “lowering the age limit would help develop stronger and fairer political parties”.

“There is no real difference between 25 and 30 years old,” he noted.

The representative of the EU-JDID, Senior Parliamentary Adviser Johan Hommes, presented the project’s efforts towards engaging the youth in politics.

He underlined that “in Jordan, reports estimate that around 70 per cent of people are aged below 30. Facilitating this workshop comes as part of the EU’s keenness to promote young people’s involvement in politics, in close collaboration with the Jordanian Parliament”.

The EU-JDID is funded by the European Union and co-funded by Spain, as well as a consortium led by the European Centre for Electoral Support (ECES).

“The existence of the Youth and Sports Committee in itself already shows Parliament’s commitment towards the youth. I know how important it is to be aware of what is happening in Parliament and I hope that such a practice will continue, especially in light of the new e-voting system that will allow a direct transparency and follow up,” he continued.

Held in cooperation with the House of Representatives’ Youth and Sports Committee, the workshop comes as part of a series of sessions on enhancing youth involvement in politics across the Kingdom.

The programme aims at supporting Jordan's reform process towards a consolidation of democracy and at promoting inclusiveness of national policy and decision-making processes, while enhancing women and youth’s inclusion.

Supporting ECES members include the Westminster Foundation for Democracy, the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy, the French Agency for Media Cooperation and the European Partnership for Democracy.