Amman, September 16 (Petra) – President of the Arab Thought Forum Prince El Prince Hassan bin Talal on Tuesday sponsored the graduation ceremony of the "Sabelat Al Hassan Youth 2025" programme.

The event, held at the University of Jordan under the theme "Development and Belonging," was organised by the El Hassan Youth Award.

During the ceremony, Prince El Hassan listened to presentations on six outstanding student projects, commending the youth for their intellectual engagement and innovative contributions.

Prince El Hassan called for fostering a culture of dialogue among youth and rejecting all forms of violence and extremism. He stressed the importance of human interaction in building shared values, noting that balance and moderation often lead to the best outcomes.

He encouraged youth to rise above self-interest and adopt a spirit of compassion, cooperation and solidarity in order to lead a constructive national dialogue.

He emphasised the need to "put the house in order" and work toward a national code of honour to address the region’s pressing challenges.

Praising the intellectual depth demonstrated by this year’s participants, he underscored the importance of reaffirming the Arab identity of the Levant and preserving a shared cultural and historical heritage.

He urged greater solidarity among diverse communities as a path toward comprehensive revival and sustainable development.

Prince El Hassan emphasised the values of active citizenship, human dignity and mutual respect, stating, "Courage is born of will and initiative is better than resignation." He highlighted Jordan’s rich cultural diversity as a cornerstone of the Arab Levant and called for continued unity among all segments of Jordanian society.

He stressed the importance of recognizing shared historical challenges to envision a more secure, stable and prosperous future.

In addressing environmental and developmental issues, he proposed creating a "farmers' index" to assess their needs and interests and identify ways to support them.

He emphasised the interconnectedness of sustainable development systems specifically water, food, energy and ecosystems and called for a more human-centered approach to environmental conservation, rooted in shared values and dignity.

Self-development, he noted, is key to belonging and national stability. He urged youth to move from theory to action and take ownership of their role as agents of positive change.

Khawla Al Hassan, Director of the El Hassan Youth Award, provided an overview of the programme, which was established in 1991 to empower youth and strengthen their leadership capabilities.

This year’s edition saw the participation of 61 students from 14 Jordanian universities, along with participants from Iraq, Palestine and Syria, making it a truly regional platform for unity and dialogue.

She noted that the programme included practical training in areas such as military discipline, physical fitness and an expedition to the summit of Umm al-Dami Mountain.

Participants attended lectures on key topics like water security and drug prevention, and engaged in field visits to archaeological and religious sites.

In a show of solidarity, the youth prepared humanitarian aid for the people of Gaza in coordination with the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organisation.

President of the University of Jordan Nazir Obeidat praised the collaboration between the university and the Sablah programme, describing it as a powerful convergence of knowledge, creativity and national spirit.

He highlighted the vision of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Hussein in championing youth empowerment, describing the Sablah as a valuable opportunity to build meaningful, respectful relationships.

//Petra// AK