Princess Basma calls for investing in young people’s energy

AMMAN — HRH Princess Basma on Saturday said young Jordanians are brimming with energy that should be tapped to achieve better progress in the social development sphere.

Addressing newly elected leaders and former leaders of Princess Basma Development Centres across Jordan, the princess underlined the need to benefit from the accumulated experiences of the youth leaders while continuing to use democratic principles and processes in their activities to better serve the Kingdom.

The princess also urged the young leaders to translate the values of belonging and responsibility towards their country through effective initiatives that can have tangible outcomes with the participation and support of national institutions.

During the gathering, also attended by
JOHUD Executive Director Farah Daghistani, Princess Basma listened to a briefing on the experience young people have gained through their participation in youth committees.

Discussions also covered means to develop committees to serve the youth sector and meet the local needs of societies.

Former head of a youth committee in Karak Governorate Nibal Mahadin highlighted her experience as the first woman to head the panel in Karak and in a southern governorate.

She noted that her experience has helped improve the participation of women in serving local communities.

In addition, she said the position has reflected on her character and university life after adopting many initiatives that had positive results on society.

Mahadin, who started as a volunteer at the Princess Basma Development Centre in Karak in 2007 and was then elected as head of the youth committee, prepared an executive plan to serve societal causes and overcome a number of challenges facing young people.

Despite the novelty of the Princess Basma centre in Kufranja, Faisal Jabali, head of the youth committee, has implemented many initiatives in cooperation with other members, reaching out to orphans and underprivileged families in the region.

At the end of the meeting, held at the Queen Zein Al Sharaf Institute for Development in Amman, Princess Basma met members of women’s committees in the Northern Hashemi, Nuzha and Um Jimal areas, and discussed issues related to women’s empowerment and ways to market women's products.

Later on Saturday, Princess Basma, who is also president of the Jordanian Association of Boy Scouts and Girl Guides, visited the 31st Arab scout camp at Al Hussein Youth City.

She met with the heads of participating delegations and congratulated them on the camp's success.

The princess also toured an exhibition held at the assembly.