jordan pulse -

By Dr. Laith Abdullah Al-Qahawi

The royal letter directed by His Majesty the King to the newly appointed Prime Minister, Jaafar Hassan, outlining the government's formation, has charted the path for the next phase of Jordan’s journey. The King emphasised the importance of comprehensive modernisation across various sectors, with a particular focus on involving all segments of society, especially the youth.

In the midst of successive crises, which have affected all aspects of life in Jordan, a trust deficit between the government and its citizens has emerged as one of the most pressing challenges. This crisis, exacerbated by the repetitive appearance of the same faces in successive governments, has led to a general sense of frustration, particularly among the youth, who form the backbone and future of society.

Jordanian youth increasingly feel alienated from the political process, a sentiment fed by traditional policies that have failed to meet their aspirations for employment and a better future. The King's address underscored the need to restore trust between the government and its citizens, stressing that the new government must be capable of delivering real, tangible change and taking responsibility with efficiency. However, the critical question remains: can a new government with old faces restore this lost trust?

Young people, being the most affected by the economic and political challenges, are also the nation’s greatest hope for the desired change. His Majesty has consistently highlighted the importance of empowering youth and involving them in the political process. Yet, despite these calls, there remains a prevailing sense that young people are marginalised, denied a genuine opportunity to participate in decision-making. In his royal letter, the King urged greater communication with citizens, indicating the necessity of engaging youth positively in this dialogue. However, this engagement must go beyond tokenism, reflecting a sincere desire to change the existing approach.

One of the core pillars of the royal letter was political modernisation, which includes restructuring the political party landscape and enabling political parties to play a more significant role. Achieving this requires new, accepted figures in the political scene who bring ideas and visions aligned with the aspirations of the youth. The challenge lies in the government's ability to a political environment where young people can actively engage in party politics, free from outdated routines and policies. Today, Jordanian youth need to feel that they have a genuine role in shaping the future and that their political participation is not just cosmetic.

Restoring trust cannot remain a matter of slogans and speeches; it requires practical steps that reflect the state's seriousness. The royal letter made it clear that the government must take its responsibilities seriously, making bold decisions that serve the public interest. Among these steps, the government should work to empower youth to reach leadership positions and open the door for them to participate in policy-making, ensuring these policies reflect their needs and aspirations. Jordanian youth are not merely a demographic group in need of symbolic representation; they are the true driving force behind any process of change or modernisation.

In the pursuit of political modernisation, the process cannot be complete without restructuring the political party landscape. Jordan’s political parties need to better represent all sectors of society, including young people. Introducing fresh, young faces into the parties would give a significant boost to the political process and restore the public's confidence that genuine change is taking place. This requires the government to facilitate youth engagement in party politics and support initiatives that enhance their presence and influence on the political stage.

No doubt, involving young people in political life is a major challenge, but it is also an opportunity that cannot be missed. Jordanian youth have much to offer, but they need someone who believes in them and gives them a chance. The royal address stressed that the government must a political environment that enhances meaningful participation and that government policies must meet youth aspirations, rather than being mere hollow promises.

Real change cannot be achieved unless the transition is made from rhetoric to actual implementation. The new government must commit to the royal letter and begin executing the comprehensive modernisation vision seriously. This involves not only developing plans and programmes but also ensuring that these plans are put into action with ongoing monitoring to measure results. Jordanian youth are eager to see tangible outcomes on the ground, not just slogans.

The royal letter has set the record straight, highlighting the importance of involving youth in the process of comprehensive modernisation. This segment of society is the cornerstone of Jordan’s future, and any effort to restore trust cannot succeed unless young people are truly a part of it.

The greatest challenge facing the new government is proving to the youth that it is capable of change and is working for a better future for all. This opportunity must not be wasted, and everyone must work diligently to realise this vision. Youth are the fuel of political modernisation in Jordan, and relying on them is the only way to achieve the King’s vision as the nation enters its second century.