Path to political modernisation, youth’s role feature prominently in King’s address to nation — experts

AMMAN — Experts emphasised His Majesty’s efforts to involve youth in the path of modernisation and change for the Kingdom.

His Majesty King Abdullah in his address to the nation on the occasion of the 76th Independence Day on Wednesday highlighted the aspirations for Jordan's future and modernisation. 

Former minister Samih Maaytah said that His Majesty called on Jordanians to “transcend the past” and engage in the upcoming partisan and political life, as “it is the gateway to building constitutional institutions”, he told The Jordan Times.

He noted that there was a clear focus from the King on youth and women, who have been an “important element” in the recent development and political reform processes.

“The King’s announcement of the intergovernmental economic system is very important and should immediately be implemented through transforming the recommendations into procedures and legislations,” Maaytah added.

The three reform tracks, economic, political and administrative, are paralleled, Maaytah said, as the King had previously said that Jordan needs these reforms. “We [now] are gratefully on the right track to achieve these reforms,” he continued.

Mohammad Al Tal, a writer and political analyst, noted that His Majesty affirmed the Kingdom's political and historical positions regarding Arab reconciliation, serving the Palestinian cause, and defending holy sites as its guardian, in addition to focusing on the right of the Palestinian people to establish their state.

“The Jordanian people have great and promising prospects for the future in light of His Majesty’s vision for the future with great vigour and potential,” Tal told The Jordan Times.

Tal noted that despite the recent difficult economic conditions, His Majesty's directives for setting the new vision is “a promising step”, especially after the National Economic Workshop.

“There can be no economic reform without human-governmental administrative reform as well. Everyone, especially the government and ministers, is required to take the message of His Majesty the King with its contents and to set out from it to look to the future, especially in the bicentennial of the state,” Tal added.

Tal noted that empowering women and youth as two basic elements in society has always been a prominent aim for His Majesty.

“During the reign of His Majesty, women gained many of their rights, especially in the political domain. However, the King is seeking more to expand the base of women’s participation in decision making, especially in the near future,” Tal said.

Political Economist Zayan Zawaneh highlighted that His Majesty focused on the need to address unemployment and poverty issues and improve the standard of living for citizens and linking these to the outputs of the National Economic Workshops.

“The economy can only develop under a complete economic, political and administrative system. The process of linking the entire system aims to improve the standard of living of the citizens and address the problems of unemployment, poverty and food security, which can only be achieved through an economic vision supported by a political vision for Arab relations,” Zawaneh told The Jordan Times.

According to Zawaneh, His Majesty’s affirmation of the Hashemite Custodianship in light of the challenges recently posed by Israel keeps the Palestinian cause a priority on the Jordanian political and strategic agenda.

Zawaneh also noted that the King emphasised that youth are “the pillars of the future and that Jordan belongs to the youth”, especially since the youth were an essential element in the political committee and its outcomes.

Zawaneh emphasised that the political and economic system cannot progress without an efficient public administration capable of carrying economic and political visions, whether Arab or Jordanian.