Madaba, Dec. 17 (Petra)- Minister of Youth Raed Adwan said volunteering in Jordan enjoys royal attention, stemming from a firm conviction that building the human being is the foundation of building the state.

He noted that His Majesty King Abdullah II has entrenched this approach by linking volunteering to development, empowerment and the strengthening of social cohesion, while His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II has contributed to translating this approach into a practical vision targeting youth and moving volunteering toward institutional paths with sustainable impact, embodied by the Al Hussein bin Abdullah II Award for Voluntary Service.

Speaking on Wednesday during a dialogue session titled "Youth and Voluntary Service: A Partnership Towards a Better Future," organized by the Faculty of Arts at Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan, Adwan said volunteering in Jordanian society is an authentic, deeply rooted value.

He added that the real challenge does not lie in the absence of initiatives but in organizing and institutionalizing them to ensure sustainability and measure impact, pointing out that the shift from seasonal and spontaneous volunteering to organized institutional volunteering constitutes a key entry point for development.

Adwan said the Ministry of Youth proceeds from a firm belief in the abilities and energies of youth and the need for a comprehensive national framework to lead voluntary work in a scientific and administrative manner, represented by the establishment of the "Nahno" national volunteering platform as a reference that organizes and unifies efforts.

He explained that the platform has become a comprehensive national information bank for volunteers, contributing to directing specialized volunteering and linking it to the needs of local communities and the Sustainable Development Goals.

He said the Al Hussein bin Abdullah II Award for Voluntary Service represents the motivational arm of the institutional volunteering system, as it entrenches a culture of impact, sustainability and quality; enhances positive competition; and is linked to national values and the Hashemite leadership.

Adwan stressed that volunteering in Jordan is part of the national identity and that with the Al Hussein bin Abdullah II Award, it has become a clear path and a state approach that is measurable.

He pointed out that the institutionalization of voluntary service cannot be achieved without partnerships bringing together the ministry with national institutions, the private sector, universities, civil society and international organizations.

For his part, Dean of the Faculty of Arts at the university, Musa Alzghoul, said the university attaches special importance to voluntary service as one of the educational tracks complementary to academic work, given its role in building students’ personalities and developing their sense of responsibility and social belonging.

He affirmed the faculty’s keenness to integrate concepts of volunteering and community work within its curricular and extracurricular activities and to encourage students to take initiative and actively participate in national programs that contribute to serving society and achieving sustainable development.

//Petra// AF