Madaba: HRH Prince El Hassan bin Talal, honorary president of the El Hassan Youth Award, emphasized the essential role of empowering younger generations to become responsible leaders capable of driving sustainable development and safeguarding human dignity.
According to Jordan News Agency, Prince El Hassan addressed participants of the 2026 Sabelat El Hassan program, stressing that investing in human capital through education, hard work, and public service is fundamental to national growth. Hosting the event in Madaba highlighted the importance of local governance, with the Prince urging youth to propel municipal development through entrepreneurial initiatives.
The Prince underscored domestic manufacturing as a cornerstone of national self-reliance and economic resilience. He encouraged young Jordanians to engage in productive sectors and leverage automation, technology, and artificial intelligence to enhance the competitiveness of local products and explore new export markets.
Prince El Hassan also addressed resource scarcity, advocating for transforming local challenges, particularly in water, energy, agriculture, logistics, and education, into opportunities for innovation and entrepreneurship. He noted that limited resources have historically spurred Jordanian creativity.
To design more effective development strategies, the Prince recommended utilizing the Multidimensional Deprivation Index (MDI) rather than solely relying on income metrics. Accurate data collection, he argued, allows policymakers to assess community needs and allocate resources to the most vulnerable areas effectively.
El Hassan Youth Award Director Khawla Hasan mentioned that the 2026 Sabelat El Hassan program builds on a journey initiated in 1991 under Prince El Hassan's patronage. The initiative includes field activities, physical training, and educational visits to historic, environmental, and industrial sites across Jordan, along with workshops on leadership, voluntary work, and entrepreneurship.
Head of the Greater Madaba Municipality Committee Haitham Jweinat praised the program for linking youth with national institutions, fostering civic responsibility, and enhancing intergenerational dialogue.
The event concluded with an open forum where participants shared insights from their nationwide field visits and brainstormed with Prince El Hassan on applying their new skills within local communities.