‘You boost my morale’, King tells young Jordanians

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Sunday expressed confidence and pride in young Jordanians, underscoring the importance of their role in serving their community and country. 

"You — the new generation — boost my morale," the King told representatives of different youth entities at a meeting attended by Her Majesty Queen Rania at Al Husseiniya Palace.  

King Abdullah underscored the role of young Jordanians in countering various challenges, according to a Royal Court statement. 

"You play an important role in confronting challenges facing our people, politically, economically and socially," the King said. 

His Majesty highlighted regional challenges, especially terrorism and radical ideologies, and ways to confront them, stressing young people's important role in combating such threats, through awareness raising and cultural and educational activities. 

In remarks on the London donors' conference, which will be held at the end of this week to discuss mechanisms to support refugee-host countries, especially Jordan, the King said it is a political conference and the Kingdom wants political decisions to be taken by countries that want to assist with the issue of Syrian refugees. 

“I ask the world to assist Jordan” to deal with the repercussions of the crisis of Syrian refugees, he said, noting that then, Jordan will be able to assist Syrians. 

“It is the world’s turn to stand with Jordan, as we have supported world countries for years,” the King added. 

In response to remarks by young Jordanians, the King asserted that the Higher Youth Council should play a more effective role to meet the needs of young people and support them.

The young Jordanians wished His Majesty a happy 54th birthday and congratulated him on the centennial of the Great Arab Revolt.  

They also expressed their appreciation of the King’s efforts and vision in confronting the various challenges facing the country. 

Their remarks addressed ways to combat terrorism, boost political participation and deal with unemployment. 

To combat terrorism, they suggested that the media should play a bigger role. They also stressed the importance of raising religious awareness and supporting the rule of law. 

They called on universities to motivate students and encourage critical thinking through holding conferences, seminars and workshops, arguing that political parties are incapable of attracting young people and should review their programmes.

Addressing the issue of unemployment, they urged the government to establish investment projects in the various governorates and districts to meet development needs.  

They also recommended establishing one entity entrusted with recruiting and training young people, and promoting small productive projects.

In remarks to the Jordan News Agency, Petra, Sahar Neimat, who attended the meeting, called for activating the role of religious, cultural, youth and women entities to help young people in confronting terror groups, which tend to exploit those who are suffering poverty and unemployment.

She also stressed the importance of raising young people’s awareness of the news and images circulated on social media outlets by some radical groups. 

In an interview with Petra, Ahmad Issa highlighted how, along with 15 other young people, he set up an independent entity, working to raise public awareness on heritage, economy and youth-related issues. 

Also, Sharif Omari highlighted his experience in implementing a group of initiatives and development projects targeting areas in the south of Jordan, including the poverty pockets’ ambassadors’ project, which focused on training young people on implementing community initiatives.