Amman – Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mazen Al-Qadi, stressed that empowering young people and enhancing their participation in decision-making positions, especially at the local administration level, is a national priority within the paths of political and administrative modernization, stressing that the next stage requires the broader involvement of youth energies in formulating visions and public policies.

Al-Qadi said, during his patronage on Monday of the dialogue meeting held by the Parliamentary Youth, Sports and Culture Committee entitled “The Youth Experience in the Provincial and Municipal Councils,” that the House of Representatives places supporting youth leaders at the core of its priorities, based on its belief in their ability to contribute effectively to promoting local development and consolidating the concepts of partnership and social responsibility.

Al-Qadi stressed that youth and women enjoy direct care from His Majesty King Abdullah II and His Highness Prince Hussein bin Abdullah II, the Crown Prince, pointing out that His Highness follows up in all meetings, monitors all the details concerning the youth and listens to them because he believes that they are an essential partner in the development process.

He added that the involvement of young people in formulating local development plans and decision-making reflects the state’s confidence in their energy and potential, and contributes to the integration of roles between national institutions and local communities, thus enhancing the efficiency of public work and consecrating the participatory and participatory approach in the management of public affairs.

For his part, Chairman of the Parliamentary Youth Committee, MP Muhammad Al-Maharmeh, said that the meeting is the first of its kind in the Kingdom, as it brought together youth representatives in municipal and provincial councils from various governorates, along with the heads of student council unions in Jordanian universities, in a step aimed at building bridges of communication between elected youth leaders at the local and university levels, stressing that the next stage requires strengthening their presence in elected councils and local bodies in a way that contributes to developing performance.

He pointed out that organizing this meeting comes in line with the House of Representatives’ orientations in supporting youth participation in public life, and providing an institutional dialogue platform that enables them to present their experiences and challenges, and exchange experiences in a way that contributes to developing local performance and improving the level of services provided to citizens.

Al-Maharmeh explained that the goal of the meeting is to crystallize a practical vision to empower youth in the local administration system, and to enhance their influential presence in local councils, leading to a more efficient, transparent, and responsive local governance model to the needs of society.

In turn, the head of the Sanad Association for Youth Thought and Action, Sultan Al-Khalayla, confirmed that the association, in partnership with the Parliamentary Youth Committee and the Parliamentary Alliance for Youth, works according to an integrated national vision to empower youth politically and socially, and enhance their presence in positions of influence and decision-making, especially in the local government system.

Al-Khalayla explained that investing in local youth leaders constitutes a strategic investment in the future of the state, through building their capabilities, expanding spaces for institutional dialogue, and creating a legislative and administrative environment that supports their effective participation.

General Coordinator of the National Youth Dialogue Project on Local Administration, Bahaa Al-Qudah, reviewed the most prominent outcomes of the national policy paper on enhancing youth participation, which was the result of field dialogues, national questionnaires, and discussion sessions carried out by the association’s team in various governorates of the Kingdom.

The participants reviewed their experiences in governorate councils, and the challenges facing young people, especially with regard to expanding powers, strengthening oversight and follow-up tools, providing specialized training and qualification programs that enable them to perform their roles efficiently and competently, and expanding the area of ​​youth influence in local decision-making.