The new collaboration seeks to increase the participation of Jordanian youth and Syrian refugees in Jordanian society and enhance youth employability.
18 June 2020 – Amman, Jordan: Generations For Peace has announced a new collaboration with ProgressSoft Corporation, a global innovative real-time payment solutions provider, on its first code-based peacebuilding programme “Code for Jordan.” This programme is expected to reach over 2,000 people around the Kingdom, including Jordanian and Syrian youth volunteers, male and female Information and Communications Technology (ICT) graduates, and community members.
In Jordan and around the world, young generations are experiencing economic, political, social and cultural exclusion, also described by the Global Progress Study on UNSCR 2250 on Youth Peace & Security as “the violence of exclusion.” In this context, “Code for Jordan” will connect the Jordanian and Syrian refugee youth who have recently graduated in software coding to the local government. For one year, they will work together to find creative solutions towards the improvement of public service delivery at both a national and local level.
Through this collaboration and innovative programme approach, Generations For Peace aims to improve Jordanian and Syrian refugee youth’s economic, political, social and cultural participation within Jordanian society. “Code for Jordan” will allow young graduates to gain practical experience and technical knowledge within their field of expertise whilst improving their communication, problem solving, and leadership skills – all necessary to flourish in the workplace. Besides improving employment opportunities, the pilot will also directly engage youth with Municipalities as well as national government bodies, including the Ministry of Digital Engagement and Entrepreneurship. Such active collaboration, both at a national and sub-national level, will increase young generations’ civic participation. By providing opportunities to both female and male amongst Jordanian and Syrian refugee youth, this new pilot programme also aims to strengthen social cohesion and improve gender equity.
H.E. Mothanna Gharaibeh, Minister of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship, emphasised the Ministry’s support of initiatives and programmes that prepare and train youth, especially ICT graduates, to take advantage of new opportunities, advance distance learning tools, and promote the use of digital technology effectively. “The Ministry of Digital Engagement and Entrepreneurship in collaboration with the Ministry of Education will create a plan to incorporate digital skills within schools’ curricula across Jordan for students in grades seven to twelve as part of projects related to youth, technology, and employment,” he added.
Dr Mohanned Arabiat, President of Generations For Peace, commented, “We believe the inclusion and engagement of young generations is essential. This new collaboration with ProgressSoft, realised through our first code-based pilot programme, will enable Syrian refugee and Jordanian youth to share their knowledge and experience towards innovative solutions for public service delivery improvement. We look forward to seeing them take an active part in Jordanian society and become changemakers in their communities.”
