Amman, Oct. 22 (Petra) Minister of Political and Parliamentary Affairs Abdul Monem Odat said on Wednesday that the Jordanian state is betting on the awareness of its youth and their ability to be makers of the future and ambassadors of dialogue, moderation, and responsibility within their universities and communities.

Speaking during a meeting with a group of students from the Middle East University as part of the university’s "Middle East Dialogues" series titled "Political Parties and Youth Partnership for Change," Odat said universities must remain beacons of knowledge, thought, and constructive discussion, stressing that differences in opinion should serve as an entry point for responsible dialogue that reflects youth awareness and national belonging.

Attending the meeting were Chairman of the University’s Board of Trustees Yacoub Nasereddin, University President Salam Mahadeen, Member of Parliament Tamara Nasereddin, and members of the university’s academic and administrative staff.

Odat said universities play a vital role in shaping students’ identities by providing them with essential skills and knowledge, in addition to hosting interactive activities and dialogue sessions that enhance their participation, positively influencing their character development, and preparing them to play an active and influential role in public life.

He emphasized that investing in youth awareness and their belief in the democratic path is the guarantee for the sustainability of political reform and for entrenching the values of citizenship that form a solid foundation for building a modern state capable of confronting challenges with confidence and steadfastness.

Odat pointed out that the comprehensive modernization project led by His Majesty King Abdullah II constitutes an integrated national framework for enhancing political participation and empowering youth, granting them broader space for expression and organized, program-based political engagement. The project, he said, also reinforces the concept of a unified Jordanian national identity built on the principles of belonging, loyalty, and the rule of law the central pillar upon which the state stands.

He underlined the importance of modern media in strengthening political and party participation in the era of digital communication, noting that young people are now more capable of expressing their opinions and aspirations on various issues. He stressed the need for youth to be fully aware amid surrounding challenges and attempts to cast doubt on the country’s achievements in order to safeguard Jordan’s social fabric and national identity.

For his part, Nasereddin said the outcomes of the Royal Committee to Modernize the Political System which received the highest royal attention and support represented a fundamental transformation in Jordan’s political life, noting that about 89 percent of the members of the House of Representatives are affiliated with political parties, a clear indication of the success of the emerging party system.

He added that the three modernization tracks political, economic, and administrative are progressing in strategic harmony toward building a modern and dynamic Jordan capable of meeting the requirements of development and transformation, as envisioned by His Majesty King Abdullah II.

Nasereddin said the political modernization project represents a comprehensive royal vision for Jordan’s second centennial as one of the essential modernization paths, stressing the need to protect this pioneering national experience from frustration or attempts to undermine it.

The session, moderated by staff member of the Faculty of Media Hani Albadri, concluded with an open discussion that addressed issues related to youth, political participation, the concept of program-based political parties, and prospects for democratic reform. The students expressed advanced critical perspectives and intellectual insights reflecting national maturity and a responsible political awareness.

//Petra// AF