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Civil Society and Democracy
CSD in Brief
1.
Introduction
The Civil Society and Democratic Development Program
is associated with the emergence of UJRC, which was
directly linked to the democratic transformation and
the release of the political diversity in the
Kingdom. The program is executed on behalf of UJRC,
representing one of the civil society institutions
in Jordan, and enjoying specialized features. It
diverts its major interest to democratic issues,
which are the key to political, economic, and social
development.
The program specifically directs its attention to
study the status of the Jordanian Civil Society, and
to introduce its different groups, issues and
development process. It also attempts to contribute
to the enhancement of civil society organizations'
ability to raise their status and strengthen their
role in public life, in an effort to help protect
the democratic development and the establishment of
democratic methods in the country's lifestyle at
different levels.
The program activities include organizing
conferences, seminars and workshops, preparing
research papers and issuing books and reports, in
addition to the regular "Civil Society Issues"
magazine.
2. Program Objectives
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Developing the
culture of civil society and democracy in
Jordan, by organizing activities, carrying out
researches, and issuing publications that would
serve this goal.
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Contributing
to the accomplishment of sustainable democracy
by encouraging national debate and political
participation, and developing legislations that
are relevant to enhancing the civil society's
institutional role and deepening democratic
transformation in the Kingdom.
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Building a
database of the different categories of civil
society organizations and of developments on the
democratic process in Jordan.
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Provide
training, rehabilitation, and enlightenment
opportunities for activates of civil society
organizations.
3.
Program Structure
The Program carries out its activities under the
direct supervision of UJRC Executive Director.
Top
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CSD Program
Activities
The Jordanian Civil Alliance for Democratic Elections (JOCADE)
Upon initiative by Al Urdun Al Jadid Research Center, several Jordanian NGO’s summoned in mid April 2007 to discuss the responsibilities of the Jordanian civil society towards the upcoming municipal and parliamentary elections. These organizations agreed on creating an alliance entitled “The Jordanian Civil Alliance for Democratic Elections” (JOCADE). Attendees discussed and approved the objectives of JOCADE. Consequently, these organizations conveyed this initiative and product to a wider audience of organizations, which showed their enthusiasm to being among the founding members of this unprecedented initiative.
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1. Conferences,
Seminars, and Workshops
- During
the years 2006-2008
2006/ 2007/ 2008 Study Days project for Civil Society
leaders and activists
In August 2006, UJRC launched a pioneer project
entitled “Study Days for Leaders & Activists of
Jordanian Civil Society Organisations”. The first of
its kind in Jordan, this project aims at building
the capacities of civil society leaders and
activists, through training, exchanging experiences
and presenting best practices of each CSO for mutual
learning purposes.
Focal themes of the 2006-2007 Study Days:
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First study day: Overviewing survey outcomes of
the opinion poll conducted on civil society leaders
in Jordan.
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Second study day: The National Priorities: the
National Agenda 2005-2015 & We Are All Jordan.
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Third study day: Civil Society and Mechanisms of
Influencing Policy-Making.
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Fourth study day: Educating CSOs on organising
advocacy campaigns to gain the support of the
Parliament; the political parties’ law as a case
study.
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Fifth study day: Civil Society and creating
Alliances, Networks, Coalitions and Umbrellas.
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Sixth study day: Improving the legislative
environment governing CSOs' work; law no. 33 of 1966
and the new CSOs bill.
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Seventh study day: Partnership between Civil
Society Organisations and the Government.
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Eighth study day: Partnership between Civil
Society Organisations and the Private Sector;
corporate governance & social responsibility.
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Ninth study day: Credibility of Civil Society in
dealing with the public and mainstreaming values of
democracy.
Based on the successes of this pioneer project, UJRC
launched the second phase in July 2007. Another set
of nine themes are being addressed at nine new study
days workshops for Jordanian CSOs.
Focal
themes of the 2007-2008 Study Days:
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First study day: The role of
civil society in political, economic and social
reform.
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Second study day: Enhancing
the role of CSOs in strengthening political and
electoral participation.
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Third study day: Strategic
thinking and planning.
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Fourth study day: Writing,
managing and monitoring proposals.
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Fifth study day: Financial
stability of CSO’s: towards a partnership with
the private sector.
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Sixth study day: Advanced
advocacy as a tool for enhancing the influence
of civil society in reform policies.
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Seventh study day: Good
governance in CSOs.
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Eighth study day: Gender
mainstreaming in CSOs’ structure, management,
and activities.
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Ninth study day: Enhancing
the communication and media skills of CSOs.
Project publications:
To document the proceedings and outcomes of this
project, UJRC is publishing a series of reports
on each set of 3 study days. This provides for
future documentation of the working papers,
discussions and recommendations derived, and ensures
wider outreach, dissemination, and benefit. Reports
are distributed to CSO’s, policy makers, private
sector and concerned stakeholders pertaining to
Jordanian civil society and its role in society.
To view
reports:
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During the year 2008
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Seminar:
"Media and Civil Society: towards
better understanding", the seminar was held at
Jerusalem Hotel, Amman, October 9, 2008.
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Launch Ceremony:
On September 28, 2008,
UJRC
launched the Jordanian Alliance for the Freedom
of Information and Transparency (JAFIT). This
was announced at the founding meeting which was
held with participation of 11 civil society organisations. The
meeting discussed several issues related to
CSOs’ legislative framework, including their
right to access of information, Law no. 47 of
2007. JAFIT is member of the Arab Freedom of
Information Network (AFOINET), that was launched
of five founding Arab countries including
Jordan, in August 2008.
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Roundtable: "Status of Public
Transportation Sector in Jordan", the roundtable
was held at Century Park Hotel, August 27, 2008.
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Training Workshop: The International
Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance
(IDEA), together with UJRC, conducted a
3-day consecutive training workshop entitled:
“State of Local Democracy in the Arab World:
Local Democracy Assessment in Jordan”. It was
held at Holiday Inn Hotel, Amman, uly 14 to 16,
2008.
The main focus of the workshop is assessing the
level of local democracy in four Jordanian municipalities: Rusaifah, Maan, Mafraq and Jarash,
where it involved training 20 men, women from
these governorates.
Its part of International IDEA’s
project “State of Local Democracy (SoLD)
Assessment in the Arab World”, involving similar
activities in four countries: Egypt, Jordan,
Morocco and Yemen, where UJRC is the
implementing organisation in Jordan.
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Study Days for Civil Society Leaders
and Activists workshops:
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UJRC
held the last study day workshop on
“Enhancing the communication and media
skills of CSOs” on June 25, 2008, with
cooperation of the Jordanian National Forum
for Women. The workshop highlighted the
importance of media and its pivotal role in
a community. Whereas media is the watchful
eye on the work of governmental and private
sector institutions.
Participants ranged from civil society
leaders, the Jordanian National Forum for
Women staff, media and academic experts.
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On
June 11, 2008, UJRC held a study day entitled
“Gender Mainstreaming in CSOs’ Structure,
Management, and Activities”, in association with
National Center for Human Resource
Development and the Jordanian National Forum
for Women.
The study day resulted in forming a
coalition of civil society organisation,
designed to enhance gender integration in
organisations and societal institutions,
based on a clear work plan of activities
that were discussed during the seminar.
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Roundtable: "Associations’ Law and Public
Meetings’ Law”, the roundtable discussed the Draft NGOs and Public Assembly
Laws on March 25, 2008, at Radisson SAS Hotel in Amman.
Former ministers, party leaders, CSOs, human
rights organisations, legal experts and
academics participated in the roundtable
discussions. The sessions were
concluded by listing a group of recommendations
and suggestions that will be presented to the
upper and lower houses of parliament.
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Workshop:
"Status of Corruption in
the Arab Region: Jordan Case”
held in collaboration with Jordanian
Parliamentarians against Corruption. A turnout
of 64 people participated in this workshop at
Century Park Hotel, Amman, March 16, 2008.
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During the year 2007
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Training
Workshop:
"Jordanian
People’s Perceptions of the EU actions in
Jordan":
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1st Workshop: in this workshop a
number of researchers were trained on
implementing the EU Questionnaire, held at
UJRC meetings hall,
October 3, 2007.
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2nd Workshop: on
October 6, 2007,
at
UJRC meetings hall.
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3rd Workshop:
on
October 17, 2007,
at
UJRC meetings hall.
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Seminar:
"Kurds of Iraq between Separation and
Unity", the seminar hosted Mulla Bukhtiar, where
he talked about Kurds and the current
situation in Iraq. Place: UJRC
meetings hall, October 8, 2007.
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Conference:
"Strategic
Readings into the Israeli Scene 2007", a 3-day
conference held in cooperation with Palestinian
Center for Israeli Studies, at Jerusalem Hotel,
Amman, September 8-10, 2007.
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Dialogue
Session:
"Current
Palestinian crisis and viable solutions", UJRC
invited the prominent Palestinian patriot Nayef Hawatmeh to
inaugurate the lecture, that took place at UJRC
meetings hall, August 5,
2007.
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Seminar:
"Where
are Arab–Kurdish Relations heading next?" Sami Shorash, former Minister of Culture in
Kurdistan, Iraq, and a prominent writer and
journalist gave a lecture on the topic of
Arab-Kurdish Relations. Shorash called for
enhancing Arab-Kurdish cooperation and warned
about continuing divisions in Arab-Kurdish
relations, the seminar’s attendance exceeded
100. UJRC convened this seminar at
Jerusalem Hotel,
May 30, 2007.
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Dialogue Session:
"The Civil Struggle for Attaining Equality
in Israel", in this seminar, Mohamed Barakah, the Arab MP at the Israeli Knesset and
President of the Democratic Front for Peace and
Equality, outlined how Arab MPs are subject to
abuse by Israeli authorities. The seminar took
place at UJRC
meetings hall, April 22, 2007.
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Conference:
The
Project on Middle East Democracy convened a
seminar with the cooperation of UJRC and the
Americans for Informed Democracy, titled “A
Jordanian-American Dialogue on the US Democracy
Strategy”. The conference was held at Beit
Shabab, Amman, April 19-21, 2007.
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Study Days for Civil Society Leaders
and a Activists workshops
(2006-2007 cont'):
5th
study day: "Civil Society and
creating Alliances, Networks, Coalitions
and Umbrellas", the workshop was held at
Marmara Hotel, January 31, 2007.
6th study day:
"Improving the Legislative Environment
Governing CSOs' work; law no. 33 of 1966
and the new CSOs bill", the workshop was
held in Zarqa Chamber of Trade, Jordan,
March 7, 2007.
7th study day: "Partnership
between Civil Society Organisations and
the Government", the workshop was held
at Jerusalem Hotel, April 2, 2007.
8th
study day: "Partnership between
Civil Society Organisations and Private Sector;
Corporate Governance &
Social Responsibility", the workshop was
held at Jerusalem Hotel,
May
17,
2007.
9th
study day: "Credibility of Civil
Society in dealing with the public and
mainstreaming Values of Democracy", the
workshop was held at Century Park Hotel,
June 11, 2007.
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Seminar:
The New Jordan Forum organized a
dialogue session on March 13, 2007, with the
Moroccan Ambassador to Jordan, HE Mr. Mohammad
Ma’a Al-Ainain. Tackling the topic of the
“Western Sahara Dilemma: Towards a Political
Solution”, this seminar took place at Regency Palace Hotel in Amman, and was attended
by 47 participants.
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Conference:
Within the framework of the Arab Civic Network
for Democratic Reform (ISLAH) projects for
2006/2007, UJRC convened the conference entitled
“Partners in Reform: Strengthening the
Capacities of Arab Civil Society Movements in
Political Reform and Democracy”. This was held
on February 17-18, 2007, at Jerusalem Hotel in
Amman.
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Annual Meeting:
UJRC
hosted the first annual meeting of the Arab
Civic Network for Democratic Reform (ISLAH) on
February 16, 2007, at Jerusalem Hotel in Amman.
56 attendees representing 40 Arab CSO’s were
present at the meeting.
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Seminar:
The New Jordan Forum hosted Dr. Abdul Fattah
Boutani; Director of the Center for Kurdish
Studies and Documentation at the University of
Dhouk/ Iraq. He delivered a lecture entitled
“How could a united Iraq serve a strategic
option for the Kurds?” Mr. Hamada Fara’neh,
journalist and former MP, presented the speaker
and moderated the discussion, which was attended
by thirty participants, including political
leaders and activists, academics, journalists
and researchers.
Place: UJRC meetings hall, February 5, 2007.
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During the year 2006
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Seminar: "Options to end
the current Palestinian Crisis". Place: UJRC
meetings hall, January 21, 2006.
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Workshop: "Political Parties Laws in the
Arab states and the role played by Arab
parliaments to amend such laws" a working
meeting consisted of experts and regional
figures. The 2-day workshop was held in
conjunction with the UNDP’s Parliamentary Reform
Initiative at the Intercontinental Hotel, on
December 18 and 19, 2006.
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Forum for the Future:
Preliminary meetings of the Content Committee, a
subsidiary of the Jordanian
Preparatory Committee of the Civil Conference
parallel to the Forum for the
Future. The Committee held four working meetings
at UJRC meetings hall, on August 31, September 9, and October
2 and 28, in order to identify terms of
reference for the papers presented at the Civil
Conference.
The Civil Conference was convened on November 27 and 28, 2006, at the Regency
Palace Hotel in Amman. A total of 18-20
representatives of the Jordanian civil society
took part in the four meetings.
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Study Days for Civil Society Leaders workshops
(2006-2007):
1st study day: "Overviewing survey outcomes of
the opinion poll conducted on civil society leaders
in Jordan". The workshop was held at Marmara Hotel,
August 1, 2006.
2nd study day:
"The National Priorities: the National
Agenda 2005-2015 & We Are All Jordan. The
workshop was held in Al Safsaf Center",
Naour, Jordan, August 23, 2006.
3rd study day: "Civil Society and
Mechanisms of Influencing Policy-Making".
The workshop was held at Marmara Hotel, Naour, Jordan, September 18, 2006.
4th
study day: "Educating CSOs on organising
advocacy campaigns to gain the support of the
Parliament; the political parties’ law as a case
study". The workshop was held at Marmara Hotel,
November 15, 2006.
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Dialogue Session:
The New Jordan Forum hosted Dr. Hazem Qashou’ on
September 13, 2006, to speak on the Jordanian
delegation that had visited Syria recently. He
gave a presentation on the aims behind the visit
and the main outcomes derived. A number of
leaders and activists of Jordanian parties and
media persons participated in the discussion
session. Mr. Hamadeh Faraneh, the journalist and
former MP, chaired the session, held at UJRC
meetings hall.
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Meeting:
A
meeting of civil society organisations to
support the people of Lebanon against the
Israeli aggression and establishing a forum for
Jordan’s civil society organisations.
Place: UJRC meetings hall, July 25, 2006.
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Debate Session:
"Political and Military Developments in the Horn
of Africa". Place: UJRC meetings hall, July 18,
2006.
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Conference: "The Democratic Trend Unity
Conference … Opportunities and Challenges", this
one-day conference was held on July 16, 2006, at
Palmyra hotel, in collaboration with Al-Quds
Center for Political Studies. The Conference set
out to encourage the unity of the Jordanian
democratic trend. The number of contributors in
this event reached 60, whereas the total number
of attending participants was 131.
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Launch: A joint reception on the occasion of
launching the second edition of “The Directory
of Civil Society Organizations in Jordan”, which
was published with the cooperation of the German
Friedrich Ebert Stiftung. The event was held at
Kempinski Hotel in Amman, on July 10, 2006. Tens
of leaders and representatives of Civil Society
Organizations, media and universities attended
the ceremony.
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Dialogue Session:
"Political Developments in Palestine on the eve
of the next Palestinian Dialogue", lectured by
Jameel Shehadah. Place: UJRC meetings hall, May
15, 2006.
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Dialogue
Session: "Latest Developments on the
Egyptian Scene", lectured by Ahmed Hamrosh.
Place: UJRC meetings hall, May 10, 2006.
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Seminar:
"Iraq Facing a US or an Iranian
Occupation",
Lectured by sheikh Hussein Mu'ayad. Place: UJRC
meetings hall, May 3,
2006.
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Founding Meeting:
Upon
an initiative by UJRC, the founding meeting of
the Arab Civil Network for Democratic Reform (ISLAH)
was held at the Dead Sea on February 18 and 19,
2006, with the participation of 18 Arab
organisations from 8 different Arab states. At
the meeting, UJRC was
elected as the general coordinator for the
Network.
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Open Meeting:
on
the occasion of the visit made by the national
partisan and union delegation to Syria, where
Munir Hamarneh lectured in the meeting. Place:
UJRC meetings hall, January 22, 2006.
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Open Meeting:
on
the occasion of inaugural of the General
Conference of the General
Federation of Labour Unions,
UJRC held this open discussion in
participation with Labour Union President Mazen Ma'aytah. Place: UJRC
meetings hall, January 16, 2006.
- During the years 2001-2005
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Seminar:
"National Code of Conduct against
Terrorism", UJRC
held this seminar at UJRC meetings hall, with
participation of many civil society organisations on November 28, 2005.
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Dialogue Session
with
the Ambassador of Sudan in Jordan. UJRC held
this discussion at the Sudanese Community Club,
Amman, January 15, 2005.
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National Consultative Meeting: Held by UJRC
to discuss the participation of Jordanian Civil
Society Organizations in the Euro-Mediterranean
Forum, in Luxemburg, 2005. Place: Hussein
Cultural Center, Amman, January 17, 2005.
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Dialogue
Session: UJRC organized a
discussion session with the Sudanese Ambassador
in Amman, at the Sudanese Community Club, Amman,
January 15, 2005.
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Meeting: On the occasion of the 50th
anniversary of Jordanian – Japanese relations,
UJRC organized this meeting with the
participation of a delegation representing youth
from the Jordanian Universities. Place:
Foresight Art Gallery, Amman, August 16, 2004.
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Brainstorming Session: "The Civil Society
Issues" magazine; UJRC held a brainstorming
session to discuss the trends and plans for
developing the CSI magazine, especially after
having it officially licensed as a specialized
magazine. Place: UJRC meetings hall, June 16,
2004.
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Meeting of the National Consultative
Committee for the Civil Society Organizations
Directory: UJRC held the first meeting for
the National Consultative Committee supervising
the CSO Directory. This was within the framework
of the preparations for launching the project of
a Directory to Assess the State of Civil Society
in Jordan. Place: UJRC meetings hall, January
28, 2004.
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Dialogue
Session: Successful Youth
Experiences: Nassim Tuffaha; Arab American
speaks about his personal experience. UJRC
meetings hall, April 30, 2003.
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Workshop: The Future Effects of the
Regional Developments in Palestine and Iraq on
Jordan: Social Impact. UJRC meetings hall, March
24, 2003.
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Workshop: The Future Effects of the
Regional Developments in Palestine and Iraq on
Jordan: Economic Impact. UJRC meetings hall,
March 15, 2003.
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Workshop: The Future Effects of the
Regional Developments in Palestine and Iraq on
Jordan: Political Impact. UJRC meetings hall,
March 11, 2003.
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Brainstorming Session: UJRC held a
brainstorming session with Dr. Abdul Elah Al
Khatib, the Jordanian former Foreign Minister.
UJRC meetings hall, November 27, 2002.
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Workshop: The role of Arab Americans in
the US Foreign Policy before and after September
11. UJRC meetings hall, September 16, 2002.
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Workshop: Russia and Arab Affairs after
September 11 Attacks. UJRC meetings hall, August
17, 2002.
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Workshop: Arab and Iraqi National Choices
and the Scenarios for Attacking Iraq. Marmara
Hotel, Amman, July 28, 2002.
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Workshop: Prospects of Arab - American
Dialogue after September 11, 2001. UJRC meetings
hall, July 7, 2002.
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Workshop: The United States and Arab
Affairs after September 11 Attacks. Days Inn
Hotel, Amman, July 10, 2002.
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Discussion Session: Arab Elites after
September 11, 2001. Marmara Hotel, Amman,
October 28, 2001.
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Seminar: The World after Durban and the
September 11 Attacks. UJRC meetings hall,
October 15, 2001.
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Seminar: From Durban to September 11.
UJRC Meetings Hall, October 7, 2001.
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Workshop: Brainstorming with Foreign Minister
Dr. Abdul Elah Al Khatib. UJRC meetings hall,
September 22, 2001.
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Workshop: Iranian View of the Political
Developments in Iran. UJRC meetings hall, June
20, 2001.
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Workshop: The Latest Reforms in Iran:
Between Potential and Expectation. UJRC meetings
hall, June 13, 2001.
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Workshop: The Third Road and Modern
Political Thinking in Europe and the Arab World.
Marmara Hotel, Amman, March 28-29, 2001.
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During the years 1994- 2000:
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Seminar:
Ten Years from the Inception of the
Democratic Process in Jordan. Radisson Hotel, Amman,
September 6-8, 1998.
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National Symposium:
The Development of
Legislations on Democracy. This was conducted
through a series of seven workshops held during the
period July 21 – August 8, 1999, at UJRC Meetings
Hall:
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First Workshop:
Freedom of the Press, July 21,
1999.
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Second Workshop: Participation and Voting Rights,
July 25, 1999.
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Third Workshop: Political Freedom and the Right
to Organize Gatherings, July 27, 1999.
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Fourth Workshop:
Personal Status and Citizenship,
August 1, 1999.
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Fifth Workshop:
Legislations Concerning Security
and Public Safety, August 3, 1999.
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Sixth Workshop: Observing the Constitutionality
of the Laws, August 4, 1999.
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Seventh Workshop: Work Legislations and Social
Security, August 8, 1999.
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Symposium:
Professional Associations and the
Challenges of Democratic Transformation in Jordan. A
series of five workshops were held during the period
September 15 – 26, 1998, at UJRC Meetings Hall:
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First Workshop: Internal Democracy and
Characteristics of Establishing Professional
Associations. September 15, 1998.
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Second Workshop:
Women and Professional
Associations. September 16, 1998.
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Third Workshop: The Political and Professional
Role of Professional Associations. September 21,
1998.
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Fourth Workshop: Workers Relations and Union
Rights in Arab and International Conventions.
September 22, 1998.
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Fifth Workshop: Professional Associations as Part
of Civil Society, September 26, 1998.
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Seminar: Freedom of the Media and the Press in
Jordan. Le Meridian Hotel, Amman, October 28-29,
1997.
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Conference:
Jordanian Political Parties -
Restrictions and Opportunities. The Royal Cultural
Center, Amman. December 1-2, 1996.
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Seminar: National Charter and Democratic
Transformation Issues in Jordan. Amra Hotel, Amman,
June 15-17, 1996.
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Seminar: Democracy and the Rule of Law. The Royal
Cultural Center, Amman, November 19-21, 1995.
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Workshop: Training the Political Party. Regency
Palace, Amman, June 11-15, 1994.
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Conference: The Jordanian Democratic Movement.
Regency Palace, Amman, May 31- June 2, 1994.
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Seminar:
The Jordanian Writer's Anxiety. League
of Jordanian Writers, Amman, February 8, 1994.
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2.
Researches 1995-2000
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Civil
Society and Governance in Jordan
An international research project included 22
countries, four of which are Arab: Egypt,
Lebanon, Palestine, and Jordan. The research
included eleven cases concerning the Muslim
Brotherhood's boycott of the 1997 parliamentary
elections, professional and political
complications in the role of professional
associations, water pollution in the capital in
1998, Anti-Normalization, the Jordanian
Environmental Society, the Jordanian Afaf
Society, Al Amal Center for Healing, Civil
Society and the Jordanian press facing the
Publishing Law, Jordanian women and political
participation, the inability of Jordanian youth
to establish an independent union, the role of
The Friends of Chechnya and Ingushetia in the
Russian-Chechen war 1994-1996.
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Public
Non-Governmental Organizations in the
Palestinian Refugee Camps in Jordan; a
project implemented in the year 2000.
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Political
parties in Jordan; a regional research
project included ten Arab countries and was
executed in the year 1999.
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Civil
Society and the public sphere in Amman; a
research project that included number of Islamic
African and Asian capitals and was implemented
in the year 1995.
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Islamic
Brotherhood Party in Jordan; a project
implemented in the year 1995.
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Islamic
Movements and Organizations in Jordan; a
project implemented in the year 1995.
The Civil Society and the
Jordanian Political Scene Series 1993 - 1998
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