Irbid youth discuss political participation with MPs, officials

AMMAN — The EU on Thursday organised a youth workshop in Irbid with MPs from the Lower House’s Youth and Education Committee and young people from Irbid. 

The initiative was organised by the EU’s Support to Jordanian Democratic Institutions and Development programme (EU-JDID), and aimed at exploring ways to get young people more engaged in politics, according to an EU statement. 

“It is important for you, the youth of this country, to make sure your voices are heard, and to make sure you participate in the field of politics and decision-making in Jordan,” MP Intisar Hijazi said during the event. 

Senior Parliamentary Expert and head of EU-JDID’s Parliamentary Component Johan Hommes added that young people “make up about two thirds of the country’s population, which means about six million Jordanians are members of the youth.”

“This large number is crucial in Jordan’s political context and should most definitely be more active in Jordan’s politics and decision-making,” Hommes said.

Following group sessions where they discussed solutions to increase political participation, young people voiced their concerns to MPs and local officials.

“Life for the young Jordanian is very difficult, and we need to have more faith in politics in order to make life easier for Jordanians,” stressed Huhaifa, a young student from Irbid.

Futoon Obeidat, another student added: “We need to have structured conversations that help raise awareness about both the problems we face and the opportunities. We have to fix them.”

The seminar in Irbid is part of a series of activities aimed at enhancing youth’s involvement in politics, which are conducted across the Kingdom’s 12 governorates, the statement said.