For a democratic student life in Jordan

In Jordan, students’ unions are becoming more and more a source of violence instead of being a platform for democracy. With the support of the European Union, Al-Hayat Center for Civil Society Development is working on strengthening the role of students’ unions, by implementing a development project entitled “Qudurat”.

Nissrine Mansour - Amman, Al-Hayat

Disputes, broken glass, provocation, security alert, exchange of insults, expressions of anger against one specific tribe… This is what most of the universities in Jordan look like during the students’ unions elections. In this tense atmosphere, stringent security measures are being put in place in order to prevent violent clashes between students. Besides, the voting procedure is constantly subject to accusations of corruption by some students, while others find it difficult to accept elections’ results. Defeated candidates from one tribe could search for help from their fellows (same tribe) against a winner from another tribe to instigate disorder. Because of intolerance among university students, a small disagreement quickly turns into a problem of uncontrollable dimensions. Hence, the students’ unions are becoming more and more like a place for settling the scores, instead of being a reference for students and intellectual elite.

In this context, it seemed highly important to reinforce the students’ leadership capacities to help them accomplish their mission within the framework of the students’ bodies and enjoy democratic life. And this is the aim of the project entitled “Qudurat” implemented by Al-Hayat for the Development of the Civil Society, which is a non-profit organization that aims to promote youth development. The European Union funded 80% of the project budget.

The culture of democracy
In 1989, along with the return to democracy in Jordan, the students’ unions began to be established inside universities. And at some point, the students’ bodies were considered as a platform that should form the future political, economic and social leaders of the country. However, according to Amer Bani Amer, director of Al-Hayat Center, the level of the students’ organizations leadership has considerably decreased over the past years. This is mainly due to lack of meaningful leadership experience among students, not to mention the inexistence of a culture of dialogue, which obviously leads to violence and intolerance. Weaknesses in the students’ unions leadership system have a negative impact on the students’ life and on the democratic experience inside universities, which prevents them from being a center for modernity and development.

“Qudurat” project is being implemented in 6 universities from both the public and the private sector in Jordan, according to Amer Bani Amer. Its aim is to promote democratic values and raise awareness about the importance of democratic elections, involvement in public affairs and dialogue. Through workshops and training sessions around dialogue and communication, “Qudurat” project is helping the students promote freedom of expression and dialogue along with a democratic atmosphere. “Qudurat” project is allowing them to negotiate their rights and obligations by using democratic tools for communication. Potential candidates are provided with Diversity and Respect courses and training. They are invited to participate in workshops on organizing election campaigns in a democratic atmosphere without violence.

An unforgettable experience
Implemented in the universities of Yarmouk, Hashimiah, Mutah, Jerash el-Ahlia, Philadelphia and Al-Balka, “Qudurat” project appeared to be an unforgettable experience for all the participants; students’ unions members attached great importance to such initiative, the first of its kind in Jordan.

Mohamed Kamel is a member of the students’ union at the University of Philadelphia. He admits that young people in Jordan need to improve their communication skills. Mohamed Kamel says that “Qudurat” project helped him develop his communication skills and strengthened his relationships with others.

“Qudurat” is considered as an initiative that should have positive impact on future generations, both at short and long term. Nazek El-Omri, a student at the University of Yarmouk, says that she participated in many training sessions organized within the framework of “Qudurat” project, which allowed her to improve her relationships with other students, and helped her widen her political and cultural knowledge and have a better communication with other students. For his part, Mostafa El-Khamayssa, member of the students’ union at the University of Balka says that “Qudurat” project made him more aware of concepts related to democracy and law, not to mention that the project allowed him build a wide network of friends from other Jordanian universities.

Young decision makers
The “Qudurat” project intends to create a democratic platform for student action inside universities. The aim is to establish democratic communicative space for elections in a spirit of tolerance and openness. All the students who participated in “Qudurat” project believe that such initiative, if implemented in the correct way, would help limit violence inside universities, allow the development of a culture of dialogue and cooperation, and better prepare students for public involvement.

The European Union provided support for the Ministry of Political development and the Ministry of Planning. The project will continue until the end of the year 2011. It intends to promote democracy among the youth and to engage the civil society actors and associations in a sustainable development process that would consolidate democracy in Jordanian society.