On May 5th-6th, the Al Quds Center for Political Studies, in cooperation with the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, organized a two-day training workshop for young leaders in Jordanian political parties. The workshop was attended by 45 participants from 16 political parties and civil society activists, and is one of the activities of the Jordanian Academy for Political Education Project, which aims at building the capacities of political parties by empowering and qualifying young members to strengthen the political organizations from inside. The workshop focused on the foundational concepts of political work, such as democracy, civil democratic state, national identity, active citizenship, political rights, and the rule of law.

Mr. Oraib Al Rantawi, Director of Al Quds Center for Political Studies and Dr. Edmund Ratka, Resident Representative to Jordan of the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung opened the workshop. In his opening speech, Mr. Al Rantawi explained that the concepts addressed in the workshop such as the civil state and active citizenship are viewed differently by people based on their political background, and that there is a need to deepen the understanding of these concepts and reach a consensus on their definition. He also expressed the center's interest in building the capacities of youth, particularly regarding laws that affect their political activities. Finally, he highlighted that the workshop provides an opportunity for youth to meet with others from different political parties and for political parties to better understand each other's ideologies and cooperate when there is a compatibility. On the other hand, Dr. Edmund Ratka presented the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung and its goals, including promoting civic education and conducting regional and international political analysis. He emphasized the importance of youth, who play a crucial role in shaping the future of countries, and the significance of political institutions and diversity. He also stated that Jordan is moving in the right direction in terms of enhancing political participation.

The training was conducted by Dr.Ahmad Al Jarabi’, professor of political science and Eva Abu Halawa, a lawyer and human rights expert.

The organization of this workshop comes in response to the recommendations issued by the Royal Committee to Modernize the Political System, and it coincides with the efforts of political parties to comply with the provisions of the new law.

Agenda:

Agenda:
Friday, 5th of May 2023
9:30 – 10:00 Reception and registration

10:00 – 10:30 Opening session:
Welcoming words, training program overview, participants’ expectations, participants’ division into two workgroups.

10:30 – 12:30 First session:
First workgroup 
- Democracy ( definition, types democratic powers)
- Democracy indicators – political participation
Trainer : Dr. Ahmed Al Jarbi’
Professor of political science, and trainer with 16 years of experience in youth development, women’s empowerment and political participation.

Second workgroup
- Political rights.
Trainer: Eva Abu Halaweh
Lawyer and executive director of the “ Law Group for Human Rights” ( Mizan).

12:30 - 2:00 Lunch Break

2:00 - 4:00 Second session:
First workgroup 
- National unity identity
* Concept, components, elements
* Identity in the Jordanian context
Trainer : Dr. Ahmed Al Jarbi’
Professor of political science, and trainer with 16 years of experience in youth development, women’s empowerment and political participation.

Second workgroup
- Active citizenship
Trainer: Eva Abu Halaweh
Lawyer and executive director of the “ Law Group for Human Rights” ( Mizan).

4:00 – 4:15 Break

4:00 – 6:00 Third session:
First workgroup 
- The democratic civil state
- The democratic civil state in the national context
- Characteristics, components and foundations
- The democratic civil state in King Abdullah the II’s vision.
Trainer : Dr. Ahmed Al Jarbi’
Professor of political science, and trainer with 16 years of experience in youth development, women’s empowerment and political participation.

Second workgroup
- The principle of the rule of law and its impact on achieving justice and promoting citizenship and development.
Trainer: Eva Abu Halaweh
Lawyer and executive director of the “ Law Group for Human Rights” ( Mizan).

8:00 Dinner

Saturday, 6th of May 2023
9:00 – 9:30 Reception and registration

9:30 – 11:30 Fourth session:
First workgroup
- Political rights.
Trainer: Eva Abu Halaweh
Lawyer and executive director of the “ Law Group for Human Rights” ( Mizan).

Second workgroup
• Democracy ( definition, types democratic powers)
• Democracy indicators – political participation
Trainer : Dr. Ahmed Al Jarbi’
Professor of political science, and trainer with 16 years of experience in youth development, women’s empowerment and political participation.

11:30 - 12:00 Break and rooms check-out

12:00 – 2:00 Fifth session:
First workgroup 
• Active citizenship
Trainer: Eva Abu Halaweh
Lawyer and executive director of the “ Law Group for Human Rights” ( Mizan).

Second workgroup
- National unity identity
* Concept, components, elements
* Identity in the Jordanian context
Trainer : Dr. Ahmed Al Jarbi’
Professor of political science, and trainer with 16 years of experience in youth development, women’s empowerment and political participation.

2:00 – 3:00 Lunch Break

3:00 – 5:00 Sixth session:
First workgroup 
• The principle of the rule of law and its impact on achieving justice and promoting citizenship and development.
Trainer: Eva Abu Halaweh
Lawyer and executive director of the “ Law Group for Human Rights” ( Mizan).

Second workgroup
- The democratic civil state
* The democratic civil state in the national context
* Characteristics, components and foundations
The democratic civil state in King Abdullah the II’s vision
Trainer : Dr. Ahmed Al Jarbi’
Professor of political science, and trainer with 16 years of experience in youth development, women’s empowerment and political participation.