The Impact of Violence on Social Cohesion and Peace

AMMAN, JORDAN: The Strong Cities Network in Jordan , and in collaboration with our implementing partner, the West Asia-North Africa (WANA) Institute, held its third virtual panel discussion (Diwaneyeh) on Wednesday, June 24, 2020, titled: “The impact of violence on social cohesion and peace” as part of the network’s newly launched series of virtual panel discussions: The “Diwaniya” Initiative.
Guest Speakers representing different religious groups from Jordan discussed a number of topics, including, but not limited to the phenomenon of community violence and ways to prevent it.
Strong Cities Network Project Manager in Jordan, Ms. Alaa Mufleh introduced the “Diwaneyeh” by providing an overview of the Strong Cities Network in Jordan.  She also spoke the role the Local Prevention Networks in Irbid, Karak, and Zarqa have played in designing programs that focus on preventing violent extremism over the past few years. The Local Prevention Network’s Focal Point in Zarqa, Mr. Mohmmad Nayef al-Zawahreh provided an overview of the network’s history in Zarqa and highlighted the importance of working collaboratively with local partners to achieve social cohesion. The “Diwaneyeh” was facilitated by Dr. Ayman al-Omari, a member of the Local Prevention Network in Zarqa, and the Director of Zarqa Greater Municipality’s Environmental Department.

Guest speakers included:

- His Excellency, Dr. Sabri Rabihat, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Tafila Technical University and Head of the South and North Center for Dialogue and Development;
- Mrs. Hala Abu Nawar, Director of the Participation and Social Cohesion component of the USAID Decentralization and Local Governance Support Program;
- Dr. Imad al-Zghoul, Director General of the Land of Peace Center for Development and Human Rights.

The Diwaneyat initiative -a joint initiative by the Strong Cities Network in Jordan and the West Asia - North Africa Institute- is a series of seminars through which we aim to facilitate systematic sharing of knowledge, expertise and lessons learned on building social cohesion and community resilience to prevent violent extremism.  It should be noted that the Strong Cities Network, which is led by the Institute for Strategic Dialogue and funded by the Dutch government, is the first ever global network of mayors, municipal-level policy makers and practitioners united in building social cohesion and community resilience to counter violent extremism in all its forms. In Jordan, the project is currently being implemented by the WANA Institute, which is a non-profit policy think tank based in Amman, Jordan, and chaired by His Royal Highness Prince El Hassan bin Talal.

For inquiries about the Strong Cities Network in Jordan and to discuss ways to get involved, please contact SCN project Manager in Jordan, Ms. Alaa Mufleh at: Alaa.Mufleh@WANA.JO.