Amman: Minister of Government Communication Mohammad Momani emphasized that the comprehensive modernization project includes ambitious steps that have been long demanded by various political forces. During his meeting at the ministry with youth from the Parliament Fellowship Project, implemented by the King Abdullah II Fund for Development (KAFD), Momani emphasized that political modernization is a fundamental national value and a cornerstone of the country’s stability. He stressed that youth are the main focus and driving force of this modernization, with Jordan as their guiding compass.
According to Jordan News Agency, Momani explained that Jordan needed bold steps to advance its political landscape, which led to His Majesty King Abdullah II forming a Royal Committee for Modernization that worked for three months, bringing together diverse political representatives. Momani, who is also the government spokesperson, said that Jordan has entered its second centennial with a comprehensive modernization plan covering political, economic, and administrative tracks, each with its own rationale and implementation strategy.
He described the committee’s recommendations as some of the most significant documents in Jordan’s history, despite the challenges it faced. The recommendations included allocating 41 parliamentary seats for political parties, introducing a threshold to filter parties based on their programs and influence, lowering the candidacy age from 30 to 25, and enhancing women’s representation by requiring at least one young candidate among the first five on a party list, a woman among the first three, and another within the first six candidates.
The minister also highlighted the importance of the Parliamentary Fellowship Program in expanding young people’s knowledge and leadership skills. He noted that Jordan advanced to a mid-level ranking in political and democratic growth indicators last year, thanks to political, electoral, and party modernization efforts. However, he emphasized that successful implementation requires continuous monitoring to address challenges and transform them into opportunities.
Momani stressed the significance of youth participation in media literacy programs, positioning Jordan as a leading country in this field. These programs help young people differentiate between accurate and misleading news and teach them how to handle information responsibly.
Regarding the Cybercrime Law, he clarified that it does not restrict Jordanians from expressing their opinions unless they violate the law or promote hate speech. He urged citizens to strengthen national unity and stand firmly behind Jordan’s Hashemite leadership.
For her part, Rama Rawash, director of the project at KAFD, said that it aligns with the King’s vision for youth political empowerment. It provides practical exposure to the legislative and oversight roles of Parliament. She explained that the project, implemented in partnership with the Lower House of Representatives, integrates young people into political life by assigning them as research assistants to MPs. Their role includes conducting research and providing legislative support on draft laws and parliamentary discussions. Additionally, the initiative aims to prepare youth leaders capable of driving change by increasing their awareness of national issues, expanding political participation, and offering hands-on training within legislative and oversight institutions.
Rawash noted that the project organizes dialogue sessions and workshops between participants and government institutions to educate them on public sector operations and decision-making processes.
