“Modernization -G”, a New project by the Politics and Society Institute and the Embassy of the Netherlands targeting University Students.

Amman – The Politics and Society Institute (PSI) signed a contribution agreement with the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Jordan on Monday June 2nd to launch the modernization G project, which aims to revive partisan and political activity within Jordanian universities and enhance student engagement in the ongoing political modernization process in the Kingdom.

This project comes as part of the national effort to implement the recommendations of the Royal Committee to Modernize the Political System, particularly those calling for the strengthening of partisan engagement on university campuses and the development of the laws governing political parties and elections.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Dr. Rasha Saleem, Executive Director of PSI, stated that the modernization G project is a practical response to the declining political and partisan engagement among university students. She emphasized that the project seeks to rebuild trust between students, university administration, and political parties, especially in the aftermath of the parliamentary and student union elections, and to broaden political participation by empowering and equipping university youth to become active contributors to public life.

Saleem added that the project is a significant step toward activating the role of universities as vibrant spaces for political dialogue and pluralism. It aims to establish a working model rooted in knowledge, training, and engagement between students, political parties, and state institutions.

For his part, the Dutch Ambassador to Jordan, H.E Mr. Harry Verweij expressed his satisfaction with the partnership and his country’s commitment to supporting initiatives that strengthen democracy and youth participation in political life. “The Netherlands is pleased to support Jordan’s vision for political modernization, especially efforts that engage young Jordanians in shaping the future of their country. By empowering university students to participate in political life, we are supporting efforts to build a more inclusive society for youth.”

The Modernization G project will run through the end of 2026, targeting 100 male and female students from various student movements and unions across ten Jordanian universities distributed across the northern, central, and southern regions of the country.

The project consists of several integrated phases, starting with the formation of a steering committee that includes representatives from the Royal Committee for Political System Modernization, the Ministry of Education, the Independent Election Commission, as well as researchers and policy experts. This committee will provide strategic guidance and ensure coordination with relevant official and academic bodies.

The next phase involves the preparation of a comprehensive field study analysis within the target universities, examining the current landscape of student movements and unions, identifying key challenges, and assessing their structures and engagement with university administrations.

PSI will then launch a capacity-building training program for selected students. The program covers multiple topics, including political and electoral laws, leadership and communication skills, digital media, policy paper writing, political campaign design, conflict resolution, and dialogue skills.

The project will also organize open days on university campuses, providing student movements and unions the opportunity to present their ideas and programs. It will further support student-led political initiatives, such as awareness campaigns and participation in the “Action Week,” which features a variety of political and civic engagement activities.

A national dialogue forum will be held in Amman, bringing together trained students, political party leaders, and deans of student affairs to foster discussion and collaboration on integrating youth into political life.

The project includes an engagement in the Abdullah Al-Jubour Political Minds Empowerment Program, an advanced track for the most committed and politically active students, offering them additional opportunities for learning and interaction with policymakers.

On the academic front, the project promotes research and critical thinking by organizing university-level policy roundtables, where students will present and discuss their policy papers on political reform and participation, attended by academics, party representatives, and student activists.

Modernization G is expected to serve as a pioneering model for empowering politically active university youth and strengthening dialogue between students, political parties, and state institutions, all in line with Jordan’s broader vision for political modernization.

PSI is a research and think tank institute dedicated to enhancing the civic and political participation of young men and women and highlighting their role in Jordan’s national political modernization project.