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AMMAN — After the negative repercussions of the so-called Arab Spring, the people of the Arab world "must come to grips" with the need to struggle their way through to a new reality, according to Senator Samir Rifai.

"It is worth recalling the Spring of Nations in Europe because it reminds us that the world has seen great and powerful nations fall into dark and tumultuous times before," the former prime minister said, referring to Europe after the 1848 revolutions, in remarks at the opening ceremony of a conference on the Harvard Project for Asian and International Relations (HPAIR) on Friday, in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

"Events transpiring in the MENA [Middle East and North Africa] region today directly affect Europe, which has been hit by the large number of migrants, the US with the rise of Islamophobia, and Asia where the largest populations of Muslims live," Rifai said at the conference, which seeks to enable some 200 top university students from around the world to interact with professionals, academics and each other, serving as a platform to discuss pertinent issues in international relations. 

Every year since 1992, the conference has been organised by Harvard’s largest student connection with Asia, HPAIR, according to a statement e-mailed to The Jordan Times. 

"Although most of the 1848 movements in Europe failed, the ideals and aspirations that helped to catalyse them did eventually permeate the political and social culture that would define Europe’s future," Rifai said.

Noting that the initial hope of the Arab Spring has "evaporated", he said the region is being pulled into a "downward spiral" of fragmentation, sectarianism and insecurity.

Rifai argued that due to the absence of "civic capital", including the habits of democratic practice, the organisers of the Arab Spring were unable to convert their "mobilisation into a political force capable of holding power". 

"They... failed to overcome the lack of common civic purpose and aspiration — cutting across religious, ethnic and socio-economic lines — to build a coherent platform about what they sought to create," he said.

"Responding to the underlying dynamics of today’s crisis then requires current and aspiring leaders across the Arab world to traverse a tightrope with no safety net. On the one hand they must actively encourage the organic formation of civic capital by promoting human rights and individual freedom of expression; while on the other hand managing an evolutionary process of political reform," Rifai added.

To combat ongoing sectarian violence, he stressed the need to "create pathways to prosperity for young Arabs that are more attractive than" what extremist grops such as Daesh have to offer.

"The challenges of combating terrorism, violent extremism and the increasing volatile political, social, and economical environments are no longer local issues; but rather... have fluidly transcended borders. The challenges we face today will not be resolved without increased global cooperation," Rifai noted.

AMMAN — Less than 40 per cent of Jordanians are satisfied with their access to jobs, according to the results of an opinion poll announced on Saturday.

The poll, which included a sample of 1,200 families in the country’s 12 governorates, addressed Jordanians' satisfaction with five main human rights.

Conducted by the Phenix Centre for Economic and Informatics Studies for the second year in a row, the poll showed that only 36.6 per cent of Jordanians are satisfied with the right to access jobs and 11.1 per cent said they do not have access to this right.

Of the total sample, 53 per cent said members of their families have access to free education, while 2.5 per cent said they do not enjoy this right.

In addition, 45.4 per cent of the sample said there are schools with “suitable” infrastructure that includes yards and playgrounds, while 5.7 per cent said schools lack such infrastructure.

As for the right to access healthcare, 67 per cent of the surveyed sample said they have health insurance.

Responding to questions on the right to housing, 69 per cent of the polled Jordanians said they own the houses they live in, while the rest said they live in rented lodgings.

Meanwhile, 55.1 per cent said they are financially capable of affording their food needs, while 2.7 per cent said they cannot.

Phenix Centre Director Ahmad Awad said some indicators in this year’s poll witnessed a drop compared to the poll conducted a year earlier due to the economic and social pressures that Jordanians face. 

He blamed government policies and the impact of hosting a large number of Syrian refugees for the mounting pressure.

AMMAN — The Coalition of Leftist and Pan-Arab Parties has expressed concern about the economic conditions in the country and restrictions imposed on public freedoms, according to a statement issued on Saturday. 

In the statement, issued by the coalition after its periodic meeting, member parties stressed their rejection of any possible plan for Jordan to take part in a land "war" against Syria.

The coalition charged that crises are deepening in the Kingdom due to the government's policies, which impose restrictions on public freedom and exacerbate economic difficulties.

These policies, the parties said, have worsened people's living conditions by causing prices to go up.

They expressed concern over the economic measures that the International Monetary Fund is asking the government to implement within a plan for economic reform.

In the statement, the coalition said in light of rapid political and military developments in Syria, Jordan should remain committed to resolving crises through peaceful means and should reject all calls to engage in land operations.

Stressing support for Syrians' right to self-determination, the parties warned of "the Zionist role", and interest in fuelling the bloody conflict in Syria and Iraq, and depleting the resources of the two countries. 

With regard to the Palestinian issue, the coalition members praised Palestinian public efforts in support of the Intifada, asserting the Palestinian right to resist the occupation.

AMMAN – The Ministry of Social Development has launched an initiative to celebrate Jordanians' success stories, the ministry’s spokesperson, Fawwaz Ratrout, said on Saturday.

The initiative, led by Minister of Social Development Reem Abu Hassan, is expected to announce the members of its steering committee in a few days, according to Ratrout.

He said most of the committee candidates are expected to be from the private sector.

The initiative seeks to highlight the efforts of both individuals and groups with successes in various fields, such as academia, professional careers and music, the spokesperson told The Jordan Times in a phone interview.

"The experience of successful people should be discussed and deserves to be taught," he said. "Those people will share their experiences and the methods they followed to achieve their success." 

The "remarkable story" of Aseel Akkaleen, from Hamimah town in northern Aqaba, some 330km south of Amman, who was named the top achiever of the General Secondary Education Certificate Examination's literary stream this winter session, stands as a good example for creativity in the face of harsh circumstances, Ratrout said. 

Akkaleen's determination inspires others to overcome difficulties, the official said.

The ministry also seeks to establish an education centre that highlights real-life stories of Jordanians who have achieved exceptional success.

AMMAN — A 12-year old boy died and four people from the same family were injured when a vehicle overturned on the desert highway, near Theeban square, on Saturday, Madaba Civil Defence Department Director Lt. Col. Ghassan Khatatbeh said.

The boy’s father and another son, aged five, were admitted into intensive care at Al Nadim Hospital and listed in critical condition.

The others were reported to be in fair condition, according to the hospital’s director, Wesam Karadsheh, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. Also on Saturday, a 59-year-old man drowned in a swimming pool at a Dead Sea hotel, Petra reported. 

AMMAN — Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) President Kim Young-mok on Saturday announced a JD5.2 million grant for the establishment of a new building for Al Amal Co-educational School for the deaf in Marka, Amman.

The project, to be implemented next year, is in line with the joint cooperation between the two countries, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

KOICA’s president made the announcement during a visit to the school, accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister Mohammad Thneibat and Korean Ambassador to Jordan Choi Hong-ghi.

The new building will be constructed on a 10-dunum plot in Marka to replace the school’s currently leased building, according to Thneibat.

AMMAN — A total of 10,708 social security subscribers benefited from unemployment insurance in 2015, at a cost of JD7.88 million, according to a statement from the Social Security Corporation (SSC) media centre issued on Saturday.

This brings the number of SSC subscribers who have benefited from the insurance since the SSC started implementing it in September 2011 to 28,195 at a cost of JD 22.75 million, according to the statement. Unemployment insurance provides income for basic living necessities for those who lose their jobs.

AMMAN — Scores of “young emerging leaders” from eight Arab countries are scheduled to convene at the Jordan Media Institute (JMI) on Sunday for “Debate to Action”: Communication and Leadership Programme, according to a JMI statement released Saturday.

“At least 30 young women and men from Jordan, Palestine, Egypt, Lebanon, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria and Libya are expected to benefit from the sessions which aim to develop their ability to make their voice heard in the public realm and to turn their ideas into action,” the JMI said.

The five-day programme is held in partnership with the Anna Lindh Foundation and is part of the “Debate to Action” strategic research and development project funded by the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The project is focused on the role of youth leadership and debate in strengthening resilience, and promoting socioeconomic participation. 

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Thursday left on an official visit to Germany to participate in the 52nd session of the Munich Security Conference, to begin on Friday. 

During the meeting, which will be attended by world leaders and ministers of defence, His Majesty is scheduled to deliver a speech during the opening session, in which he will discuss several global security issues, particularly the conflict in Syria and the repercussions of the Syrian crisis on neighbouring countries and the world, according to a statement by the Royal Court. 

The conference will focus this year on two main issues: how to prevent international conflicts and how to  reconsider ways of administering security affairs in the world, according to the statement.

On the sidelines of the gathering, the Monarch is scheduled to meet with several leaders over ties and regional and international developments. HRH Prince Feisal was sworn in as Regent. 

Also on Thursday, His Majesty discussed regional and international efforts to combat terrorism and extremism over the phone with Senegalese President Macky Sall,  the Royal Court said. 

Earlier in the week, King Abdullah also had phone conversations with three Arab leaders to discuss bilateral relations, the anti-terror drive and regional and international developments. 

He talked on Tuesday to Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi, Mauritania President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi.

AMMAN — The US has established a temporary refugee processing centre near Amman as part of its efforts to reach the goal of admitting at least 10,000 Syrian refugees to the US by September 30.

According to a statement by the US embassy in Amman, operations are now under way. 

“Access to the site is restricted by invitation to potential resettlement candidates. We are grateful to our Jordanian partners in making this possible and for their generosity in hosting Syrian refugees.” 

“We have worked with the government of Jordan to identify a temporary site to conduct these additional interviews.” 

“While the US government has maintained a refugee resettlement processing site in Amman for many years, it does not have the capacity to host the number of interviews we will be conducting in the coming months,” said the statement received by The Jordan Times on Thursday.