Sustainable Development
Her Royal Highness's work reflects a belief in the core values of respect, integrity and co-operation which uphold human dignity.
Princess Basma is committed to strengthening the capacity of local communities, while respecting and enhancing the positive values of local culture and heritage. Princess Basma believes in fostering models of socio-economic development that increase community participation and improve the quality of people's lives, both in remote rural and over-populated urban areas.
Princess Basma is particularly interested in the interface between local communities and NGOs, national and international development organizations, the government and private sector. Her main concern is to promote and support socio-economic efforts, which are sensitive to the concerns of the communities and individuals whose lives they touch.
Jordanian Hashemite Fund for Human Development - (JOHUD)
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JOHUD’s 40th Anniversary celebration (2017)
In 1977, at the request of His Majesty the late King Hussein bin Talal, Princess Basma established the Jordanian Hashemite Fund for Human Development (JOHUD). Chaired by Her Royal Highness, JOHUD was one of the earliest non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Jordan to address development issues at the national level.
In 2000, Farah Daghistani took over JOHUD’s operational management as Executive Director. Today, JOHUD is recognised as a pioneering, leading national advocate of sustainable, people-centred development, working in partnership with local communities and NGOs, Jordanian governmental institutions, as well as United Nations and other international agencies.
The strength of JOHUD’s work derives from its unique national outreach, which is consolidated through a network of 52 Community Development Centres (CDCs) spread throughout the country. JOHUD’s holistic approach is reflected in CDC programmes that incorporate early childhood development, public health, IT skills, gender mainstreaming, youth empowerment, income generation and the environment.
JOHUD’s CDCs are hubs for community-based advocacy and participation, which provide opportunities for grass~/assetss governance to evolve, and where issues of local importance are raised and addressed in partnership with service providers, and other stakeholders.
In 1994, the Queen Zein Al-Sharaf Institute for Development (ZENID) was established by JOHUD as a centre of knowledge exchange and capacity building. JOHUD’s programmes and activities are managed from within ZENID, whose facilities also bring together national and international agencies in workshops and events.
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Visit to the Queen Zein al-Sharaf Institute for Development (ZENID), (2017)
In 1991, Princess Basma launched the first National Goodwill Campaign, inspired by Islamic values of solidarity and charity, and culminating every year during the Holy Month of Ramadan. In cooperation with the banking and medical sectors, professional unions, academic institutions and the private sector companies, the campaign raises funds and delivers programmes which provide individuals and communities living below the poverty line with medical services, safe housing, university scholarships, and in-kind support. In 2020, the Goodwill Family Relief Fund was set up to raise direct and immediate assistance for some of those worst hit by the financial impact of the Covid-19 pandemic across Jordan.
Visit to Talibieh Camp, (2017)
The Queen Alia Competition for Social Responsibility was launched by Princess Basma in 1995, primarily to raise awareness and change perceptions about the capabilities of people with disabilities, and to advocate for their greater participation and role in society. Every year, around 650,000 students participate in the annual competition which addresses socially relevant themes, while all proceeds from the initiative go to Al Rajaa School for Deaf Students.
Visit to Al Raja’a School for Deaf Students - (2016)
Farah Al Nas 98.5 FM is JOHUD’s community radio station. Launched in July 2008, it aims to give a voice to underrepresented groups, particularly Jordan’s youth and refugees, helping to raise awareness and encourage dialogue.
Appearing on Farah Al Nas Radio, (2017)
Princess Basma launched Beit Al Bawadi in 1993, JOHUD’s social enterprise initiative that has become renowned for its unique line of ceramics, celebrating the region’s artistic Islamic heritage, while supporting the livelihoods of local artisans and preserving their skills.
Visit to Beit Al Bawadi, (2023)
Visit to Beit Al Bawadi, (2023)
The Princess Basma Award for Human Development was launched in 2011 to raise awareness about sustainable human development issues of importance to local communities. The Award recognizes those who have made outstanding contributions to their communities, and is presented annually to individuals, organisations and initiatives whose leadership, voluntary work and innovation around the country has a positive impact.
With Dr. Munir Fasheh, winner of the 2021 Princess Basma Award for Human Development and Community Service
Higher Population Council
Honouring ceremony for youth leaders who participated in the "Shabab Al Fursa" Project, (2018)
Based on the close linkages between population issues and national development concerns, in 1994 Princess Basma initiated a re-organisation of the Jordanian National Population Commission (JNPC) including a General Secretariat hosted by JOHUD. An outcome of JNPC’s enhanced efforts was the launch of Jordan’s first National Population Strategy (NPS) in 1996. The Strategy was ratified by the government and JNPC was officially assigned as the national authority and coordinating body mandated to oversee population-related policies and programming.
In December 2002, as a culmination of its expanded role and responsibilities, JNPC was renamed the Higher Population Council (HPC), under the chairmanship of the Minister of Planning and International Cooperation. The Council was charged with implementing the NPS for the years 2000-2020 and 2021-2030, which encompasses integration population dynamics within socio-economic national planning frameworks from a human rights perspective, including addressing the rights of refugees within fragile contexts; gender equality and women’s empowerment; and reproductive health. The National Reproductive Health Action Plans for the years 2003-2007 and 2008-2012, and the National Reproductive Health Strategy for the years 2020-2030; the National Action Plan to combat child marriage; and the Flexible Working Arrangements System, which were developed by HPC in direct collaboration with all national, public, private and civil society organisations, have positively impacted the overall conditions of women in Jordan.
At the international level, Princess Basma is a global Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), as well as Honorary President of the Jordanian Association for Family Planning and Protection, a local NGO affiliate of the International Planned Parenthood Federation.
National Alliace Against Hunger and Malnutrition (NAJMAH)
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An afternoon with women farmers in Baq’aa, (2016)
The National Alliance Against Hunger and Malnutrition (NAJMAH) was established under the leadership of Princess Basma in 2004 to support government programmes in combating hunger and enhancing food security in Jordan. The Alliance which is hosted by JOHUD, works with government, civil society, private sector and international organisations, such as the Ministry of Agriculture, the Agricultural Credit Corporation, the World Food Programme (WFP), and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) to provide vulnerable communities with access to sustainable sources of food and income. Projects are designed to improve standards of nutrition, increase agricultural production through water harvesting, as well as enhance livelihood opportunities through employment programmes.
ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
Princess Basma has increasingly been advocating for environment sustainability, and for JOHUD’s widespread networks to become a platform for
environmental activism. In 2022 the Queen Alia for Social Responsibility adopted the theme of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration 2021-2031
as its theme for the decade.
At the opening of the Dana +20 conference - (2022).
With women from I Can! Environmental and Tourism Awareness project (2022)
Signing ceremony of the memorandum of understanding between JOHUD and UNEP to work in partnership to support the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2022)
At the 9th Global Land Forum, “Pathways to Climate Solution”, which was held at the Dead Sea – Jordan (2022).