Civil society institutions 'integral part' of Jordanian state — Dughmi

AMMAN — Lower House Speaker Abdulkarim Dughmi on Sunday highlighted the importance of efforts led by His Majesty King Abdullah in the political, economic and administrative fields, which would enhance the Kingdom's reform process.

Dughmi made the remarks while attending a national conference organised by the Civil Coalition for Monitoring Elections and the Performance of Elected Councils (Rased), under the theme: "Means to improve relations among Parliament, government and civil society institutions," the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

The event aims to discuss outcomes and recommendations of the study titled "Civil society and building confidence with the government and parliament" with the participation of policy makers from the legislative and the executive branches of the government, in addition to representatives of local and international civil society institutions. 

Dughmi said that Parliament has exerted constant efforts in endorsing several laws related to the political reform path, which included several amendments to these laws.

He also noted that the Lower House’s relation with civil society institutions is “not new” as they date back to several decades, stressing that these institutions are an "integral part" of the Jordanian state.

Rased Director General Amer Bani Amer said “the positive relations” among civil society institutions, the government and Parliament will contribute to activating the role of national institutions and instilling the principles of effective partnership. 

Secretary General of the Political and Parliamentary Affairs Ministry Ali Khawaldeh said the ministry's strategic plan considers civil society institutions as a partner, noting that there are 209 associations affiliated with the ministry whose work is focused on democratic culture, according to Petra.