This report aims to review the status of children in Greater Amman and to conduct a capacity assessment of key institutions addressing children’s issues. Various issues are examined;; covering areas such as health;; education;; and socio-economic characteristics. This report also reviews the status of disadvantaged children;; including working children;; orphans;; refugees;; and children with disabilities;; in order to identify vulnerabilities and risk factors specific to them. Finally;; this report assesses the capacity of selected institutions addressing children’s issues in Greater Amman and proposes phased capacity building programs based on the findings of the assessment.

This report concerns the results of a survey on children’s literature and the promotion of reading in Palestine as represented by the West Bank and the Gaze Sector. Emphasis is placed on a number of axes regarding children’s literature;; including policies and legislation;; programs and institutions;; libraries;; elementary schools and universities;; and the publishing and distribution of children’s books. Upon analysis of the state of children’s literature in Palestine;; this report identifies certain trends regarding child culture. It also identifies a number of problems facing the promotion of reading among children;; including financial constraints;; the quality and availability of libraries;; and the overarching challenges influenced by Israel occupation.

جاءت هذه الدراسة لغايات التعرف إلى واقع إدماج النوع الاجتماعي في القطاعين العام والخاص. وتعد هذه الدراسة الاولى في مجال تحليل واقع ادماج النوع الاجتماعي في القطاع الخاص ممثل بالادارة الاقليمية لمجموعة شركات نقل في المملكة الاردنية الهاشمية بهدف تحليل أبعاد إدماج منظور النوع الاجتماعي من خلال محور الموارد البشرية و المحور المؤسسي. ولتحقيق ذلك جمعت الدراسة بين المنهجين الكمي والنوعي بحيث استخدم منهج المسح الاجتماعي لرصد البيانات الكمية وتحليلها من خلال اجراء مسح شامل لكافة العاملين في الادارة القليمية للمجموعة والبالغ عددهم 110 عامل وعاملة. وتم اعتماد الاستبانة كأداة لجمع المعلومات من المبحوثين بالاضافة الى البيانات الواردة في السجلات الرسمية للمؤسسة. أما فيما يتعلق بالتحليل على المستوى المؤسسي;; فقد تم استخدام المنهج النوعي من خلال إجراء المقابلات المعمقة مع عدد من العاملين والعاملات والذين تم اختيارهم باستخدام أسلوب العينة القصدية الطبقية .

This report presents a compelling argument as to why realising the full potential of Arab women is an indispensable prerequisite for development in all Arab states. It argues persuasively that the long hoped-for Arab “renaissance” cannot and will not be accomplished unless the obstacles preventing women from enjoying their human rights and contributing more fully to development are eliminated and replaced with greater access to the “tools” of development;; including education and healthcare. By placing Arab women firmly in the centre of social;; cultural;; economic and political development in the entire region;; the Report goes beyond arguing that half the population deserves half the participation. In fact;; it asserts that irrespective of the numbers;; Arab women have already accomplished great strides that are transforming the region’s political economy and social demography. While lauding these achievements and making a strong case for facilitating this strong current of positive social transformation;; the Report also analyses the remaining impediments;; and suggests concrete steps towards their elimination.

This report was prepared by the General Directorate of Civil Defense and the United Nations Development Programme in 2008. It provides an overview of Jordan and its demographic;; economic;; social and cultural characteristics. In addition it presents legislation and its effectiveness;; relevant to land use management;; vulnerability to hazards and the disaster risk management arrangements in place. It concludes with the disaster risk management vision of Jordan.

The report highlights the essential role played by micro;; small and medium enterprises in the promotion of human development in the country;; and through four main pillars;; namely economic growth;; that is inclusive and pro-poor;; social progress;; participation;; empowerment throw micro finance;; and environmental sustainability. The report consists of eight chapters dealing with: the concept of human development through small and medium enterprises;; human development in Jordan;; economic growth;; social progress;; empowerment;; the role of microfinance to empower less advantaged groups;; and a chapter on sustainable development.

تهدف الدراسة الى التعرف على مشاركة المرأة في المجالس البلديه في الأردن. باستخدام المنهج النوعي;; ولتحقيق اهداف الدراسة تم سحب عينة قصدية من البلديات بلغت 11 بلدية;; تمت مقابلة 9 رؤساء بلدية و15 امرأة وعقد ٥ مجموعات بؤرية مكونة من عضوات المجالس البلدية ;; و7 مجموعات بؤرية مكونة من موظفي وموظفات المجالس البلدية. وخرجت الدراسه بنتائج أهمها أن المرأة تعتبر غير فاعلة في المجلس البلدي;; وذلك يعود الى عدة اسباب أهمها: تهميش رئيس واعضاء المجلس البلدي لهن;; وعدم معرفتهن بمهام عضو المجلس البلدي;;اضافة إلى التنافس العدائي بينهن. وكما قدمت الدراسة مجموعة من التوصيات موجهة الى الحكومة او منظمات المجتمع المدني والمنظمات الدوليه وذلك لتعظيم دور عضوات المجالس البلدية.

This report explores the role of Small and Medium-Enterprises (SME);; as an agent for sustainable human development in Jordan. It analyzes SMEs and their contribution to human development using fours key central pillars of human development;; namely: economic growth that is equitable and pro-poor;; social progress;; participation and empowerment through micro finance;; and environmental sustainability. The report analyses the link between SMEs and empowerment or lack thereof;; with a specific focus on the two issues of employment;; as a tool for empowerment;; and the capacity of SMEs to enhance the position of women within the workforce and home. The report findings were based on extensive research;; a survey of 1;;500 firms and focus groups discussions conducted across the governorates of Jordan. The report proposed general recommendations in terms of institutional coordination;; exports;; cluster groups;; quality standard;; government monitoring;; tax law;; local development;; youth empowerment and the increase of minimum wage.