Amman, May 7 - The Senate’s National Youth Dialogue Initiative Committee, chaired by Senator Dr. Mahassen Al-Jaghoub, in cooperation with the Department of Cultural and Political Activities at the Deanship of Student Affairs at the University of Jordan, organized a dialogue session on Wednesday with university students. The event was held under the patronage of the University’s President, Prof. Dr. Nathir Obeidat, and attended by committee members, experts, and a large group of students.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Obeidat emphasized that the University of Jordan, as it ascends to global recognition, firmly believes that its true investment lies in shaping students’ academic, cultural, and political awareness. He referred to students as the “soldiers of tomorrow and leaders of the next phase,” echoing the words of His Majesty King Abdullah II, and highlighted the realization of this vision when His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II became the first young person to address the UN Security Council.
The session, moderated by Dean of Student Affairs Dr. Safwan Al-Shayyab, featured discussions led by Dr. Al-Jaghoub, Senator Ali Al-Ayed, and Senator Hussein Al-Hawatmeh.
Dr. Al-Jaghoub, focusing on education and preparation for the labor market, discussed the challenges youth face and the need to align university outputs with market needs and entrepreneurship. She praised the University of Jordan for recently introducing a "soft skills" course as part of its undergraduate curriculum across all disciplines. She also stressed the importance of youth creating opportunities rather than waiting for them, and enhancing their political awareness and active participation in society.
Senator Al-Ayed addressed the theme of youth political participation, highlighting legal reforms aimed at empowering youth, including legislation requiring at least 30% youth membership in political parties and ensuring that one of the top three candidates on party lists is a young person.
Senator Al-Hawatmeh spoke on national security and societal peace, emphasizing the importance of instilling values of citizenship and belonging. He noted the need for youth to preserve unity and resist distorted ideologies, stressing that dialogue is essential for reaching mutual understanding.
Additional contributions came from Senators Hussein Al-Majali, Michel Nazzal, Mamdouh Nabass, and Dr. Suhad Al-Jundi, who collectively underscored the vital role of youth in safeguarding national security and social harmony. They called for fostering open dialogue with young people as a crucial tool for exchanging views and reinforcing national cohesion.