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Human Security Publications
Human Security Publications
19 Dec 2023
Towards Dignified Inclusive Opportunities: EnhancingSelf-Reliance and Access to the Formal Labour Marketfor Refugees and Host Communities
This advocacy paper aims to raise awareness of refugees' accessibility to the formal labour market in Jordan among governments and international stakeholders at the Global Refugee Forum. The paper provides recommendations for reinforced coordination between different stakeholders to promote economic...
Author : Dr Yara Shaban, Marah Jamous
13 Dec 2022
Applying a Geopolitical Perspective in Designing Innovation Policies: A Comparative Case Study Between Jordan and Lebanon
This paper argues how a geopolitical perspective can shed light on the dynamics of policymaking and policy recommendations. Introducing a geopolitical point of view might help strengthen the design of innovation policies by considering the geopolitical factors involved in policy success. The geopoli...
Author : Amélie André
13 Dec 2022
Labour Contractual Problems in the Construction Sector in Jordan: Can Innovation Provide Practical Solutions?
The construction sector is becoming a contributor to Jordan’s economy due to its role in raising the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employing many workers. With the growing population in Jordan, it is expected that the construction sector will witness further growth. However, Jordanian workers and...
Author : Atallah Mashaqbeh
13 Dec 2022
Overview of the Challenges Facing the Realisation of Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities in Jordan
This policy paper offers a review of the existing policies on accessibility for persons with disabilities (PwD) in Jordan and sheds light on their experiences in order to identify gaps that hinder the adoption of these policies. This paper discusses how people with disabilities actually experience a...
Author : Enas Alkhatib
13 Dec 2022
The Case for Increased Collaboration Between Academia and Industry in the Food Sector in Jordan
Collaboration between universities and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) can facilitate knowledge transfer and stimulate the production of new knowledge and technology. This paper addresses the limited collaboration venues between universities and MSMEs in the food processing sector in Jor...
Author : Reham Al-Hanakta
13 Dec 2022
Civic Technology to Enhance Citizens' Engagement in Jordan's Public Policy
The government of Jordan and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) continue to launch new digital tools to keep up with the globalised world and enhance citizens' engagement through the use of technology. However, the term "Civic Technology" is yet to be introduced into Jordan's public policy, and more...
Author : Shahd Almahameed
08 Dec 2022
Public Policies for Innovation in Jordan: Realities and Ambitions
These policy papers are part of the project entitled "Public Policies for Innovation in Jordan: Realities and Ambitions" implemented jointly by the West Asia-North Africa Institute (WANA) and the Konrad-Adenauer- Stiftung (KAS) – Jordan Office. The aim of the project is to raise awareness on the iss...
04 Jul 2022
Assessing the Job Creation Potential of the Social Economy in the MENA Region
The role of the Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) in the process of job creation and formalisation of the informal economy has been understudied. This policy study aims to examine the issue of widespread youth employment in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and the mismatch between la...
Author : Philippe Adair; Vladimir Hlasny; Kareem Sharabi Rosshandler; Mariem Omrani
08 May 2022
A Decade of Hosting Syrian Refugees in Jordan - Lessons Learnt for Poland
Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, approximately 6.5 million persons became internally displaced and over 4 million fled to neighbouring countries, predominantly to Poland. Given the country’s lack of experience in welcoming such a large number of refugees, the present article proposes a set of...
Author : Katarzyna Sidło and Marah Jamous
24 Mar 2022
Jordanian Young Analysts: Refugees and Forced Migrants - Jordanian Youth Policy Perspectives
These policy papers are part of the project entitled «Jordan-EU Dialogue on Human Security Issues» implemented jointly by the West Asia-North Africa Institute (WANA) and the Konrad-Adenauer- Stiftung (KAS) – Jordan Office. The aim of the project is to raise awareness on the issues of importance and ...
01 Feb 2022
Bans, Restrictions, and Missed Opportunities in Jordan: 3D Printing and Drone Technology
This study seeks to estimate the opportunity lost to Jordan’s economy owing to the regulations governing two cross-cutting ICT technologies, commercial Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (drones) and 3D printers. In an effort to assess how restricted access to new technologies – namely 3D printers and drones ...
26 Aug 2021
From Refugee to Restaurateur: A Syrian Entrepreneur’s Route to Success in Jordan
Ten years have passed since the outbreak of the Syrian conflict, and it “remains the world’s largest refugee crisis.” After a decade of continuously hosting Syrians in Jordan, today they form 10 per cent of the Jordanian population. Making Jordan the second host country of refugees per capita in the...
Author : Marah Jamous
15 Aug 2021
Stateless: A Refugee Success Story
This policy brief highlights the social, procedural, and financial difficulties facing refugees, especially Gazans in Jordan, through the story of the entrepreneur Mohammad. He is a Palestinian refugee living in the Gaza Camp who is directly affected by the lack of documentation.
Author : Samer Fakhoury
04 Jul 2021
The Story of a Soap
This policy brief sheds light on refugee entrepreneurship in Jordan inspired by a success story of a Syrian refugee entrepreneur. It provides an analysis of the context and challenges she faced on her way to entrepreneurship. The brief puts forward key policy-recommendations responding to these chal...
Author : Rawa'a Moumar
22 Jun 2021
Reflections on EU-Jordanian Cooperation: Towards Tertiary Economics
Experts and researchers have carefully processed and analysed the answers of the nearly 800 respondents of the EuroMeSCo Euromed Survey, launched in December 2020 coinciding with the 25th anniversary of the Barcelona Process and ahead of the Joint Communication on a Renewed Partnership with the Sout...
Author : Kareem Al-Sharabi
03 Jun 2021
Young Voices: Jordanian Youth in Public Policy-Making 2020
These policy papers are part of the project entitled "Jordan-EU Dialogue on Human Security Issues" implemented jointly by the West Asia-North Africa Institute (WANA) and the Konrad-Adenauer- Stiftung (KAS) – Jordan Office. The aim of the project is to raise awareness on the issues of importance and ...
07 Mar 2021
Best Practice Reflections on PVE in the Context of the National Action Plans on UNSCR 1325 Comparative Study
The year 2020 marks the 20th Anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security (WPS), which established a normative framework to ensure women’s needs, voices and perspectives are incorporated into peace-building and peace-keeping efforts.
09 Jun 2020
Chronicling the Coronavirus: A Perspective on Kuwait’s Response
The West Asia-North Africa (WANA) Institute recorded a nation’s response as it told the story of COVID-19 in the State of Kuwait. The WANA team put together a chronology of the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic as it unfolded in Kuwait. This document is accompanied by reflections that touches on qu...
Author : Kareem Al-Sharabi
07 Jun 2020
Policy Dynamics: A COVID-19 Perspective on Lebanon
The West-Asia North Africa (WANA) Institute documented a series of policy measures that were taken in response to COVID-19 in Lebanon. The WANA team explored the success, stringency, chronological patterns and future implications of these measures on the country. This document is an analytical read ...
Author : Barik Mhadeen
09 Apr 2020
Chronicling the Coronavirus: A Perspective from Jordan
West Asia-North Africa Institute (WANA) has put together a working chronology of the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic as it has unfolded in Jordan. The journal-like texts have been accompanied by reflections that touch on questions of epidemiology as well as issues of governance and policymaking as...
24 Feb 2020
Unlocking the Potential of Entrepreneurship in Creating Jobs for Youth in Jordan
This paper is part of a series of policy papers written by participants of the workshop “Promotion of Think Tank Work on Socio-Economic Reforms and the Impact of Regional Dynamics on Jordan” organised by the German Council on Foreign Relations’ Middle East and North Africa Program (DGAP) in the fall...
Author : Hadeel Qatamin
18 Feb 2020
Unity & Inclusion: Refugees and the Jordanian Host Community
On behalf of the MENA Civil Society Network for Displacement, WANA researched and wrote “Unity & Inclusion: Refugees and the Jordanian Host Community”. The report assesses to what extent refugees in Jordan are living in a state of ‘unity and inclusion’. Unity primarily concerns refugees’ ability...
Author : Kareem Al-Sharabi
10 Dec 2019
Theory of Change: Towards More Effective Human Security Approaches in the Context of the Emerging Threat of Violent Radicalisation in Jordan, Lebanon, and Tunisia
This Theory of Change concludes the project “Towards more effective human security approaches in the context of the emerging threat of violent extremism in Jordan, Lebanon and Tunisia.” Over three years, the project has examined the trilateral relation between human security, state security policies...
Author : Dr Neven Bondokji, Barik Mhadeen
14 Nov 2019
White paper: Towards More Effective Human Security Approaches in the Context of the Emerging Threat of Violent Radicalisation in Jordan, Lebanon, and Tunisia
This white paper, which is part of the project " Towards More Effective Human Security Approaches in the Context of the Emerging Threat of Violent Extremism in Jordan, Lebanon, and Tunisia", discusses the role of preventing violent extremism programmes implemented in the West Asia-North Africa (WANA...
Author : Dr Neven Bondokji, Barik Mhadeen
31 Oct 2019
Analysis: No Business as Usual in Syria
This paper discusses Syria’s economic future after surviving the Syrian conflict, and the available options for business people in Syria, especially in the shade of destruction across the country which resulted in considerable infrastructural damage and lost and disrupted livelihoods. In addition to...
Author : Alexander Decina, Katherine Nazemi
01 Aug 2019
Human Security in Action
The concept of human security is considered pivotal for assuring the stability of societies and reinforcing them in the face of the various drivers of conflict. It addresses a wide spectrum of variables which could influence the wellbeing and stability of people.
Author : Barik Mhadeen, Lina AlHaj Ahmad
22 Jul 2019
Rethinking the Concept of Human Security and Its Approaches to Preventing and Combating Violent Extremism in Tunisia
This country report reflects an examination of the data collected in Tunisia over 12-months. Initially, it grapples with some definitional issues pertaining to human security, outlining how the concept is well-present at the perception level, but absent at the procedural knowledge level. It also ext...
Author : Maher Zoghlemi and research assistant Helmi Toumi
08 Jul 2019
The Battle of Ben Guerdane: Between Savagery and Resilience
This policy brief presents the preliminary findings from field research conducted by the Jasmine Foundation for Research and Communication in Ben Guerden, Tunisia. The brief discusses how locals in a marginalised border area in Tunisia tackle issues like violent extremism, the state of human securit...
Author : Maher Zoghlemi and research assistant Helmi Toumi
08 Jul 2019
Manufacturing Employment in Jordan
Manufacturing activity is a strong indicator of a country’s economic development. While Jordan's agricultural activity is flourishing, its steadily-growing manufacturing sector continues to face challenges as it seeks to play a greater role in the kingdom’s economy. This report gives an overview of ...
Author : Kareem Al-Sharabi
30 Jun 2019
Sectarian Politics, Human Security, and the Quest to Prevent Violent Extremism in Lebanon
This Country Report presents an examination of the attitudes and perceptions in six communities across Lebanon: Baalbek; Hay el Seloum; Saida; Tripoli; Zgharta and Kfarnabrakh. Specifically, it examines how Human Security is conceptualised in these communities and it captures the local variations in...
Author : Zeina El-Helou, Sami Zoughaib, May Tamim, Dr Neven Bondokji
27 Jun 2019
Syrian Refugees and Social Cohesion in Jordan: A Closer Look at Farming Communities in the Jordan Valley
Farming plays an instrumental role in Jordan's society, a field that has brought together Jordanian and Syrian workers. This report highlights Jordanian farmer views of their Syrian colleagues, the nature of social ties, and integration between them. The findings of this report are based on three fo...
Author : Kareem Al-Sharabi
12 Jun 2019
Embracing Social Exclusion in Douar Hicher: Isolation and Code Words
This policy brief presents the preliminary findings from field research conducted by the Jasmine Foundation for Research and Communication in Dowar Hicher, Tunisia. The brief explores the relationship between human security programming, state-centric security policies, and PVE efforts there. It disc...
Author : Maher Zoghlemi and research assistant Helmi Toumi
03 Jun 2019
Towards Comprehensive Human Security in Tripoli
This policy brief presents the preliminary findings from field research conducted by the Lebanese Centre for Policy Studies in Tripoli, Lebanon. The brief explores the relationship between human security programming, state-centric security policies, and PVE efforts there. It discusses interesting fa...
Author : Barik Mhadeen, based on field research and summary findings by LCPS team
15 May 2019
Human Security: Localised Insights from Baalbek
This policy brief presents the preliminary findings from field research conducted by the Lebanese Centre for Policy Studies in Baalbek, Lebanon. The brief explores the relationship between human security programming, state-centric security policies, and PVE efforts there. It discusses interesting fa...
Author : Barik Mhadeen, based on field research and summary findings by LCPS team
01 May 2019
Determinants of Human Security and Hard Security in Ajloun
This policy brief presents the preliminary findings from WANA Institute field research in Ajloun about the relation between human security, state-centric security policies, and efforts for preventing violent extremism. The brief offers unique insights into the perceptions of Ajloun residents of thes...
Author : Dr Neven Bondokji, Barik Mhadeen, Lina AlHaj Ahmad
24 Apr 2019
A Read of Human and Population Security: Russeifa as a Case Study
This policy brief presents the preliminary findings from WANA Institute field research in Russeifa. The brief offers unique insights into the perceptions of Russeifa residents of the relationship between human security, state security policies, and efforts aimed at preventing violent extremism. The ...
Author : Dr Neven Bondokji, Lina AlHaj Ahmad
18 Apr 2019
Measuring the Impact of Refugee Labour Inclusion on the Host State Economy
This infographic brief contains the key takeaways from our research on Syrian refugee labour inclusion in Jordan. The research measures and tracks economic and social cohesion outcomes using quantitative and qualitative data collected over a 3-year period. The findings provide an objective starting ...
Author : WANA Institute, Mercy Corps
04 Apr 2019
Human Security in Tafileh: Trends and Perceptions
This policy brief presents the preliminary findings from WANA Institute field research in Tafileh. The brief offers unique insights into the perceptions of Tafileh residents of the relationship between human security, state security policies, and efforts aimed at preventing violent extremism. The di...
Author : Barik Mhadeen, Dr Neven Bondokji
31 Mar 2019
Executive Summary: The Syrian Refugee Crisis in Jordan and Its Impact on the Jordanian Economy
In late 2016 — just months after the signing of the Jordan Compact — the WANA Institute and Mercy Corps set out to measure the impact of Syrian labour on Jordan’s economy. This research initiative, which has spanned two years, has resulted in several publications. Notable highlights and key conclusi...
Author : Dorsey Lockhart
31 Mar 2019
Syrian Refugee Return: Implications for the Jordanian Host State
This report — the first in a series of three studies — includes initial viewpoints on how the return of Syrian refugees would impact Jordanian labour, employment, housing rents, consumption, and government spending. Drawing primarily on the first-hand accounts of community-based organisations in Amm...
Author : Kareem Al-Sharabi
31 Mar 2019
The Syrian Refugee Crisis and Its Impact on the Jordanian Labour Market
This report — the second piece in a three-part study — reviews the body of research that has been conducted on Syrian participation in the labour market and assess the impact that the Syrian refugees had on the Jordanian labour market between 2012 and 2016.
Author : Dr Salem Ajluni, Dorsey Lockhart
31 Mar 2019
Investment and Employment Trends in Jordan's Key Economic Sectors
This publication provides policy-makers, donors, and other stakeholders with a relevant quantitative framework for understanding the relationship between investment and employment across key economic sectors in Jordan.
Author : Dr Salem Ajluni
13 Mar 2019
Determinants of Human Security and State-Centric Security in Karak
This policy brief presents the preliminary findings from WANA Institute field research with around 80 participants in Karak. The brief offers a descriptive account of the attitudes towards and perceptions of Karak residents of the relationship between human security, state security policies, and eff...
Author : Dr Neven Bondokji, Lina AlHaj Ahmad
31 Jan 2019
Managers’ Reflections on Sub-Sector Performance, Investment, Worker Profile, and Technology Trends
The signing of the Jordan Compact in February 2016 unleashed a wave of optimism that a larger workforce combined with improved trade access for industrial goods would ignite a surge in growth of Jordan’s manufacturing sector. Between 2010 and 2016, GDP from manufacturing in Jordan grew by 13 per cen...
Author : Dorsey Lockhart
27 Sep 2018
ANALYSIS: How Security and Diplomacy Intersect in Russia and Turkey’s Idlib Deal
By mid-September 2018, the Bashar al-Assad regime was poised to launch a military campaign on the last major opposition stronghold in Idlib, Syria. With considerable military buildup, it seemed that a wide-scale operation to retake the province—one that would have threatened the estimated 2.5 millio...
Author : Alexander Decina
09 Sep 2018
Reconceptualising Security: Why Now?
This paper seeks to examine the regional peace and security nexus, with a specific focus on youth. It argues that without human-centric security paradigms with youth at their core, the persistence of state-centric security paradigms will continue to flare anger, yielding further regional instability...
Author : Barik Mhadeen
09 Aug 2018
Syrian Refugee Labour Inclusion Policy In Jordan: Emerging Trends Two Years In
April 2018 marked two years of Jordan’s landmark decision to allow limited working rights to Syrian refugees. This report provides an overview of the progress that has been made, the challenges that remain and the strategies that have been put in place to speed up the pace of Syrian refugee worker i...
Author : Dorsey Lockhart
30 Apr 2018
Syrian Refugee Employment Trends in Jordan and Future Perspectives
This report provides an overview of Syrian refugee employment trends within Jordan and seeks to answer key questions related to the size and configuration of the Syrian labour force, the degree to which Syrians are employed in their preferred sector, the impact of unemployment and sector transfer on...
Author : Shaddin Alhajahmad, Dorsey Lockhart, Katrina Barker
18 Apr 2018
A Region in Motion: Reflections from West Asia-North Africa
The West Asia-North Africa region sits at a complex crossroads where the impacts of chronic conflict, cultural fragmentation, and geopolitical interests collide. It is easy to think of the region’s future in pessimistic terms, yet while conflict and disaster provide a myriad of challenges, they also...
Author : WANA Institute
16 Apr 2018
Syrian Refugee Women and the Workforce
The employment of refugee women is a recurrent concern for international organisations and NGOs whose programmes provide protection and basic needs. Refugee women are commonly viewed as more vulnerable and at greater risk of poverty than their male counterparts. In the current context, many have sou...
Author : Dorsey Lockhart, Katrina Barker, Shaddin Alhajahmad