26 February 2017 – Amman, Jordan: The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and Generations For Peace have today announced an expansion of their Social Cohesion in Host Communities Programme. The programme, funded by UNICEF and with additional support from Jordan Olympic Committee, Samsung, and Manaseer Group, works in partnership with the Ministry of Youth (MoY) and the Jordanian Hashemite Fund for Human Development (JOHUD) in youth centres and community centres in urban centres and towns (host communities) with large numbers of Syrian refugees.
In these host communities, both Syrian refugees and Jordanian youth are under enormous pressures, and face heightened tensions and risk of violence, greater vulnerability, and high chances of resorting to negat
ive coping mechanisms such as isolation, school drop-outs, child labour, and early marriage. Over the last two years the programme has directly involved 1,600 Jordanian and Syrian youth
participants, female and male, in 16 communities in Ajloun, Amman, Irbid, Karak and Mafraq. Innovative sport and arts activities over a series of sessions provide 44 hours of quality participation time together, to foster greater engagement, acceptance and trust. Evaluations of the programme have provided evidence of positive impact: transformed capacities, strengthened relationships, social capital and resilience, and reductions in violence and vulnerability.
The programme is now expanding from 16 to 40 communities, and will involve 8,000 participants in 2017. The announcement followed the presentation by Generations For Peace Founder and Chairman, HRH Prince Feisal Al Hussein, of certificates to Generations For Peace youth leaders for their outstanding delivery of the programme over the last two years. The certificates marked the graduation of these youth leaders as Generations For Peace Pioneers, and it was especially motivating for them to receive their certificates from HRH Prince Feisal Al Hussein in person, in recognition of their dedication and hard work to support their communities and Jordan’s nation-wide response to the Syrian crisis.
Congratulating the Generations For Peace Pioneers, HRH Prince Feisal Al Hussein said: “As Generations For Peace Pioneers, you have shown that passion to lead change in your own community, and that determination to turn that passion into positive impact, to make a real difference in people’s lives. In partnership with the Ministry of Youth and JOHUD, with the incredible support of UNICEF, and with important contributions also from Jordan Olympic Committee, Samsung, and Manaseer Group, the expansion of the programme will build on your success and help us reach more vulnerable communities.”
HE Mr Robert Jenkins, UNICEF Country Representative for Jordan, said: “As the Syrian crisis enters its seventh year, the pressures and demands in Jordanian communities continue to grow, and we must do all we can to support all vulnerable children and youth in the Kingdom. The unique activities and mentoring support model of Generations For Peace are delivering result. UNICEF is delighted to support the programme’s expansion to reach even more Jordanian and Syrian refugee youth in vulnerable host communities that need our help the most.”
