Decentralization in Jordan
The Role of the local Community in activating the Role of the Governorate Councils
Dr. Ahmad Ajarmah on the main role of the elected councils
UniHRD
The decentralization law adopted by Parliament in 2016 is another cornerstone of the reform process in Jordan pursued by King Abdullah II. On this basis, on August 15, 2017 elections were first held at the level of the governorates. For Jordan it is the first experience in the implementation of decentralization as a reforming station that will enhance popular participation in the decision-making development in each governorate, according to the priorities and requirements of each one, and contribute to accelerate the pace of achievement in various fields.
The Hanns Seidel Stiftung in Jordan in cooperation with the "Arab World Center for Democratic Development - UniHRD" continues to support the work of the Ministry of Political and Parliamentary Affairs - MoPPA with regard to raising awareness for the new legal frameworks and its implications for the interaction between local authorities and community members.
Open discussion
UniHRD
Starting from 14th of January 2018 a series of one-day workshops took place in twelve villages (e.g. Aqaba, Ma'an, Tafileh, Kerak, Al-Azraq, Salt, Mafraq, Madaba and others) on the role of the local community in activating the role of the governorate councils. Civil society organizations, youth and women's groups, activists and community leaders, members from political parties as well as from the municipality councils had the opportunity to discuss with members of the governorate councils about how to identify the needs and priorities of the local community and what is the role of the community in this regard. Responsible work by the councils, requires active citizenship.
It is important that every citizen has a sense of responsibility towards society, everybody needs to asks himself what he can do for his country, and not just waiting for what the country offers him. Decentralization offers the opportunity to get actively involved in the decision-making process.
In general, it is important to strengthen the interest in local self-government, to reduce previous losses of confidence and to revive the confidence in a minimum of administrative efficiency.
But, the decentralization process in Jordan is just beginning. Decentralization processes are very sensitive, political processes require a great deal of time and usually cause serious changes. This must be conscious at all levels of the state as well as for the population.