Amman, March 31 (Petra) -- Minister of Social Development Wafaa Bani Mustafa and German Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development Reem Alabali Radovan on Tuesday visited the Makani Center, affiliated with the Islamic Center Charity Association, to review its programs and integrated service delivery mechanisms.
Bani Mustafa said the partnership with the Federal Republic of Germany supports the implementation of key social development programs, particularly the Makani initiative, which is carried out in cooperation with the United Nations Children's Fund across community development centers under the Ministry, as well as through national partner institutions.
She noted that the Ministry is working to embed the Makani program within the National Social Protection Strategy (2025–2033), as part of efforts to institutionalize services, ensure sustainability, and advance a development model based on effective international partnerships, aligned with national priorities of human capital development and social equity.
The minister added that the program represents a transition toward integrated social protection systems, combining education, child protection, psychosocial support, and life skills development to enhance long-term developmental outcomes.
The German minister said the Makani centers provide safe, inclusive environments that enable children to access learning and support services, build social connections, and develop new skills. She highlighted the program’s role in fostering social cohesion by bringing together Jordanian and Syrian children in a shared learning environment.
She added that Germany’s support reflects the program’s complementary role to formal education systems and its contribution to addressing educational gaps and promoting mental well-being.
Country Director of the German Development Bank (KfW) office in Amman Matthias Schmidt-Rosen said Germany’s support through KfW underscores its commitment to strengthening social stability and sustainable development in Jordan, highlighting the importance of investing in children and youth.
UNICEF Representative in Jordan Marc Rubin described the Makani program as a scalable global model for integrated service delivery, stressing the importance of sustained cooperation with national institutions to maximize impact.
During the visit, the delegation was briefed on the center’s services, which include early childhood development, remedial education, child protection, and adolescent skills development programs.
//Petra// AJ
