Hear from the inspiring young Jordanians shaping their country’s future. From tackling environmental challenges to overcoming adversity, these young leaders are making a difference. They share the future they want to see in Jordan.
“Jordan’s future is in our hands,” says Shahd, a young climate entrepreneur. Her words echo the sentiment of many youths who are building the future of Jordan with hope and ambition.
How do you imagine Jordan’s future? A question we asked youth participants from Plan International Jordan’s projects, to get a glimpse of their hopes and aspirations. The young people we spoke to came from various backgrounds, but they all had an optimistic vision for the future.
Future is sustainability
For Shahd, a young climate entrepreneur, it upsets her that greenery in Jordan makes up less than 2% of the land. Shahd thinks the future should be greener and brighter. With her project “Plasticity”, she tackles one of the worst environmental pollution challenges, plastic waste.
Shahd believes that influencing children is influencing our future, and for that reason she took it upon herself to hold awareness sessions in schools and engage with key stakeholders on how to achieve the Green Amman vision through solutions like hers.
Future is entrepreneurship
Ahmad and his family fled his home-country, Syria, to Jordan during the war. Displacement forced Ahmad to leave school in the 8th grade and work as a tile setter to provide for his family. Ever since he left school, Ahmad wanted to finish his education, but due to displacement, he could not obtain school records and documents needed to enroll in formal education in Jordan. Entrepreneurship offered Ahmad the opportunity and hope he needed to achieve self-reliance and become a job-provider for others as his project grew. When asked, Ahmad expressed how deeply invested he is in making Jordan a sustainable country, reflecting this vision in his project “Scrap” which aims to find a new home for used goods.
Future is education
Fifteen-year-old student, Jumanah, had experienced the consequences that economic challenges might lead to and the burden of having to make a living; something faced by many Jordanian families. To support her family, Jumanah had to work on farms in one of Jordan’s vulnerable valleys, enduring harsh working conditions. After going back to school, Jumanah left her life as a worker. This experience has led her to envision a future where no child is forced to leave education and work, but instead can focus on their education. “No child is missing school or enduring child labour, I imagine a future where we get to play and invest in our hobbies, a future where childhood is valued and respected.”
Future is art and inclusion
Abdel-Malik is an Iraqi graffiti and Arabic calligraphy artist living in Jordan. He expressed how he wished artists had more support and resources that transcends the financial aspect and goes into the culture perception. In his words “I imagine a future where you walk down the streets of Jordan and see young people practicing the art of Arabic calligraphy, reviving and spreading it all over the walls.”
Future is for girls
Alaa Al-Qasem, a young Syrian journalist, imagines a future where girls and young women are taking over decision making spaces and leadership positions. A future where an abundance of women role models will guide and mentor younger girls and where girls come together to invest in their rights.
Nawwaf, who volunteers within his Syrian refugee community as an instructor and strives to instill values of kindness, compassion, and generosity also stressed the importance of being role models for the younger generations.
Bayan, an advocate for sexual and reproductive health and rights expressed that she fears if young people’s concerns and recommendations are not taken seriously, it will only lead to more discrimination and setbacks.
Future in the eyes of the youth of Jordan
These answers paint a picture of a green and sustainable Jordan, led by its passionate youth. Their vision is one of a country where girls and young people are at the forefront of decision-making and where education is a cornerstone for progress. It’s a future filled with promise, where innovation thrives and communities flourish.
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