Amman, May 15 (Petra)-- Ali Freihat - The Zaha Cultural Center and the French Institute in Jordan have signed a cooperation agreement aimed at expanding cultural and educational programs for children and youth across the Kingdom.

The agreement was signed under the patronage of Princess Alia bint Tawfiq Tabbaa, Chairwoman of the Board of the Zaha Cultural Center, and in the presence of French Ambassador to Jordan Franck Gellet.

Executive Director of the Zaha Cultural Center Rania Sbeih signed the agreement on behalf of the center, while Luc Chevallier, Cultural Cooperation Counselor and Director of the French Institute in Jordan, signed on behalf of the institute. The signing ceremony was attended by officials and representatives from the cultural and educational sectors.

The partnership builds on more than a year of cooperation between the two institutions, during which the Zaha Cultural Center played a central role in implementing activities organized by the French Institute in Jordan under the "IFJ Nomade" initiative. The project seeks to provide Jordanian youth with interactive cultural experiences that encourage cultural exchange and promote the French language and culture.

Under the agreement, the two sides will continue organizing the joint "Summer Tour," which was launched in 2024 at the Zaha Center in Madaba before expanding to 10 additional centers throughout the Kingdom. The initiative includes cultural and entertainment activities focusing on Francophone cultures, environmental awareness, arts, and digital technology through interactive learning experiences for children and adolescents.

The agreement also includes cooperation during "Environment Month," organized by the French Embassy in Jordan in partnership with the Ministry of Environment. As part of the activities, the French Institute in Jordan will hold awareness sessions and youth programs at Zaha Cultural Centers to promote environmental awareness among young people.

In addition, the French Institute in Jordan will participate in the annual "Children’s Cinema Week" festival organized by the Zaha Cultural Center, which aims to introduce children aged 10 to 14 to cultures from around the world through cinema and educational activities.

The partnership further provides for the launch of pilot French language courses at the Zaha Cultural Center in Amman for children and youth, supervised by the French Institute in Jordan. Organizers said the initiative aims to strengthen linguistic and cultural skills within an interactive educational setting, with plans for future expansion depending on public interest.

Both parties highlighted the importance of the agreement in supporting cultural and educational initiatives for children and youth and fostering creativity, cultural openness, and knowledge exchange throughout Jordan.

//Petra// MF