‘List of recommendations for reform to be sent to gov’t’

DEAD SEA — The Centre for Strategic Studies (CSS) at the University of Jordan is drafting a report with a list of recommendations from experts in various fields to make amendments to policies affecting Jordan’s education, economy, foreign policy, youth, and employment sectors, among others, said CSS Director Musa Shteiwi. 

The report is the outcome of the three-day “Jordan Agenda Conference 2018” during which government officials, educators and business leaders gathered to assess problems and discuss new ideas under a mandate to "reinforce self-reliance”.

“Jordan is facing many challenges in many aspects and the government has taken several measures for the economy and other sectors. Nevertheless, there are issues and problems that have not been dealt with and we want to help the government place importance on the issues that have been overlooked,” Shteiwi said. 

Once the report is complete, it will be publicly released and sent to the government for approval. 

“When we send the report, in approximately two weeks, it will then be up to the government to accept and implement our suggestions. We are in no authority to force the government but we are sure that they will take our recommendations seriously,” Shteiwi stated.

However, the CSS director ensured that they would find ways to follow up with the government and perhaps push for some “lobbying”.  

He said that although there are many priorities in their list of recommendations, which is yet to be released, governmental reform is on top of the list. 

“We want to push for rule of law, government efficiency and the role of public sector in promoting economic development, particularly in supporting industry and agriculture,” Shteiwi said. 

In addition to putting together recommendations for change, the conference also created a space for dialogue between the public and private sectors, according to Shteiwi, who said that "people want to see dialogue. When these two sectors in society meet and discuss freely without any pressure; and when the issues that we are suffering from and all the ideas are openly on the table, it allows for coordination and an understanding of how the other side thinks".