Mentor Arabia launches official office in Jordan

AMMAN — Mentor Arabia on Tuesday announced the launch of its official office in Jordan to increase its programmes’ reach to local youth and children. 

The announcement occurred during a conference in Amman in the presence of representatives of Mentor’s regional and local partners. 

Executive Director of Mentor Arabia Thuraya Ismail noted that Mentor, which was founded 25 years ago by Queen Silvia of Sweden, is currently directing the focus of its programmes from a global scope to the local and regional levels for a more concentrated impact. 

“Mentor ensures that all of its programmes are in line with the distinctive needs, traditions and habits of each country” that it works with, she added, noting that the organisation’s role is complementary to that of local, international and governmental institutions with a mission to support youth. 

Ismail also pointed out that Mentor’s programmes are “very inclusive, covering the needs of persons with disabilities and categories of disadvantaged youth in remote areas in Jordan”. 

Following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Mentor digitalised most of its programmes, classes and workshops, which increased accessibility, she added. 

Minister of Education Wajih Owais spoke of the complementary and developmental role of private institutions to that of the government. 

He also commended the pedagogical role of Mentor and its focus on cultivating positive behaviours in youth and children, which is also a focus of the ministry via school curriculums.

Corporate Entrepreneurship Responsibility Manager at Zain Jordan Faisal Nsour stressed the important role of private institutions in adopting social responsibility projects.

He noted that Zain has programmes that target children between the ages of 13 and 16 as well as university students. It also supports recent graduates through paid internships and matching opportunities with startups. 

Director of Strategy and Partnerships at the Crown Prince Foundation Mais Daoud, which recently signed a cooperation agreement with Mentor Arabia, said that the goals, programmes and values of both youth-supporting foundations, intersect, “especially those concerned with job-readiness, entrepreneurship, leadership and citizenship”.

Head of the Marketing and Communication Department at the Arab Jordan Investment Bank (AJIB) Zainab Banat also noted the important role that the private sector plays in enhancing social responsibility. 

“The pressure placed by the COVID-19 pandemic on the government and the general budget highlighted the role of the private sector in supporting the development and sustainability” of social responsibility projects, she said. 

Director General of the Royal Health Awareness Society (RHAS) Amal Ireifij noted that the society’s partnership with Mentor Arabia, which began in 2016, resulted in various programmes directed towards “building youth’s abilities, immunising them against dangerous behaviours … and preparing them for the labour market”. 

RHAS’ partnership with Mentor Arabia has allowed it to reach 500 local schools and over 100,000 students who have benefited from various educational programmes, she added. 

These projects have improved youth’s communication skills, their relationship with their parents and their attitude towards community work. It also has reflected in their ability to make decisions and say no to peer pressure, according to Ireifij.

General Director of Al Jude for Scientific Care organisation, which is also a Mentor Arabia partner, highlighted Al Jude’s commitment to all projects concerned with youth and social entrepreneurship.

Managing Director of the Royal Film Commission (RFC) Mohannad Al Bakri noted that the commission’s partnership with Mentor Arabia, which “shares its goals and values”, began in 2017. 

He added that the RFC is committed to building the capacities of professional and amateur youth in filmmaking. 

“Through our partnership with the Ministry of Education, we also work with children in public schools through a programme called “Films at Schools, which aims to’’ cultivate their critical thinking abilities through film screenings, Bakri continued. 

Queen Silvia of Sweden will be arriving in the Kingdom at the end of October on a special visit to support the initiatives and activities of Mentor in Jordan, according to Ismail.