On March 15, I was invited by the NGO Arab Renaissance for Democracy
and Development (ARDD) to participate in a session which took to task the
challenge of achieving sustainable social protection. The big title under which
the conference was held is “Jordan national forum for comprehensive social protection”.
اضافة اعلان
I admit I was not initially eager to go, yet I did my
homework and attended the last four sessions of the conference. The discussions
around this important topic were deep and their quality impressive. Besides
Jordanian current and previous senior public officials, there were experts from
a number of international and regional organizations, such as UNDP, ILO, UNICEF,
and ESCWA.
I came up with a number of interesting observations that I
would like to share with the readers.
Foreign experts revealed how impressed they were with
Jordan’s success in providing social protection. Some of them described Jordan’s
response to the needs of the vulnerable segments of the population as the best
in the Arab world.
A retired Greek economist, who has been living in Jordan for
30 years, said that Jordan’s level of response was noticeably better than that
of Eastern European economies.
On the other hand, some Jordanians complained about Jordan’s
inadequate responses and policies in this area. They pointed out that Jordan is
limiting NGOs' freedom to exercise their functions, especially those who
receive funding from foreign sources.
“They are demonized,” a Jordanian journalist described the
authorities' pressure on these NGOs.
Social capital, which results from Jordanians’ readiness to extend helping hands, especially in emergencies, has helped grow social capital in Jordan. This is one of the factors that enhanced Jordan’s reputation as a country with a cheerful human face all over the world.
Another remark was that fiscal policy in Jordan was gradually
owning and running social protection schemes. The role of the private sector is
mostly informal and does not cover all areas where such protection is needed.
Thus, in a way, Jordan has nationalized through the Social Security Corporation
(SSC), most notably, the ministries of health, education, planning and social development.
Yet, there was unanimity that the role of both private sector and civil society
needs to be enhanced and that the three sectors should integrate their efforts.
Social capital, which results from Jordanians’ readiness to
extend helping hands, especially in emergencies, has helped grow social capital
in Jordan. This is one of the factors that enhanced Jordan’s reputation as a
country with a cheerful human face all over the world.
When the discussion shifted to gender inequality in terms of
opportunities, salaries and job stability, it emerged that the value of women’s
contribution to GDP is way underestimated, due to the fact that women’s
household chores go unappreciated and their home-based businesses are not part
of the formal economy.
This topic requires a “Women Inclusion Studies Center” which
would adequately and scientifically elevate women’s participation to the level
of respect it merits.
The need to foster the Zakat Fund, Awqaf or Islamic trusts
and voluntarism is imperative. It is hoped that the future, with its knowledge
and technology, will afford women many more opportunities and that the
ecosystem that is to come will be more helpful and friendly to all underprivileged
segments of population.
The writer is an economist and has held several ministerial posts, including former deputy prime minister and former chief of the Royal Court.
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