-
Press Releases
Press Releases
28 Nov 2024
The West Asia-North Africa (WANA) Institute sign a Memorandum of Understanding to promote human rights in Jordan
The West Asia-North Africa Institute for Development and Training (WANA) of the Royal Scientific Society has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with The Phenix Center for Economic and Informatics Studies (PCEIS) to deepen cooperation on human rights in Jordan, specifically the rights of pers...
24 Nov 2022
WANA launches roundtable discussion to encourage youth participation in policy-making
Amman - On behalf of Minister of Social Development, Wafa'a Bani Mustafa, Secretary General Bark Dmour has attended a recent roundtable discussion hosted by the West Asia-North Africa (WANA) Institute to increase young people's skills in advocating for the elimination of barriers and issues confront...
27 Oct 2022
Study Launch: Natural Resource Governance in Light of the 2030 Agenda: The Case of Competition for Groundwater in Azraq, Jordan
27 October 2022. Under the patronage of his Royal Highness Prince el Hassan bin Talal, the West Asia-North Africa (WANA) Institute and Inter-Islamic Network in Water Resources Development and Management (INWRDAM) and the German Institute of Development and sustainability (IDOS) held a high-level ro...
18 Oct 2022
Dialogue Session in Mafraq as part of the "Rethinking Humanitarian Aid in Urban Water and Sanitation" project
As part of the project, "Rethinking Humanitarian Aid in Urban Water and Sanitation", the West Asia-North Africa Institute held a dialogue session on Tuesday 18th October 2022 at the Mafraq Governor's Office to tackle the issue of water governance; water and sewer access and to hear the residents' vo...
29 Sep 2022
Our rights ... People with Disabilities
Karak, 25 September 2022 - Today, the media campaign on the rights of persons with disabilities was concluded in Karak Governorate, which bore the title "About Our Rights" to raise awareness of the rights of persons with disabilities and how to claim them, it lasted five consecutive days.
01 Aug 2022
Cooperation to Integrate Sign Language into the Sawt Al Karak Radio Station
Today, Sawt Al Karak Radio translated one of its programmes into sign language, in preparation for the inclusion of this service in its visual content, which is broadcast on Facebook, and with the aim of the participation of persons with hearing disabilities in the issues raised on the radio. The tr...
28 Jun 2022
WANA hosts event to promote social justice, inclusion in Mediterranean
Amman - Wednesday, 28 June 2022 -- The West Asia-North Africa (WANA) Institute has co-organised an annual event titled "Towards More Social Justice and Inclusion in the Mediterranean," which is part of the EuroMeSCo: Connecting the Dots project, co-funded by the European Union and the European Insti...
26 Jun 2022
Under the Patronage of HRH Princess Sumaya bint El Hassan, WANA Institute holds End-of Project Ceremony: Training for Change: Empowering Civil Society to Advocate Policies
Amman - Sunday, 26 June 2022 - To support Jordanian civil society organisations in using their platform to help solve environmental issues, the West Asia-North Africa (WANA) Institute and the European Delegation in Jordan, conducted a two-year training and grants project that aimed to Strengthen th...
03 Mar 2022
WANA Institute and International Alert Link Climate, Gender and Human Security
Amman - Wednesday 2 March 2022. The West Asia-North Africa (WANA) Institute and International Alert convened 30 national and regional experts and policy-makers at an interactive virtual workshop to deliberate the linkages between climate, human security, and gender in Jordan. This workshop is part...
21 Jan 2022
Youth in Zarqa cooperate with municipality to address pressing issues in their community.
Amman, 18 January 2022 - Youth are frequently excluded from local decision-making and often frustrated by limited opportunities for cooperation and dialogue. “Young Cities” is a global programme that connects young people to local government. The project works with youth as well as community member...
19 Dec 2021
Youth in karak Conduct a Needs Assessment Exercise to Present Findings to Policy Makers
The youth group shadowing the Local Prevention Network in Karak -a Strong Cities Network model - conducted a needs assessment in order to present pertinent evidence, findings and recommendations to the relevant policy makers, on which they hope the decision makers will plan, programme and implement ...
30 Nov 2021
WANA Launches an Alumni Club for a Network of Researchers
Tuesday 30 November 2021 -The West Asia-North Africa Institute (WANA), in partnership with IM Swedish Development Partner, launched the Institute's Research Alumni Club for a network of researchers on issues of marginalised women and persons with disabilities.
Upon completing the Research Training P...
25 Oct 2021
WANA Hosts a Panel on Challenges and Prospects of European-Jordan Trade
On October 25, Intercontinental Hotel, Amman, Jordan - The West Asia-North Africa (WANA) Institute hosted an event on the current challenges of EU-Jordan trade relations, and prospects for expanding them. The event is a EuroMeSCo Back to the Field Session, “Towards More Robust EU-Jordan Trade: Chall...
04 Oct 2021
WANA launches discussion to encourage youth’s active role in policymaking
AMMAN — The West Asia and North Africa Institute (WANA) on Tuesday held a discussion to increase young people’s skills to advocate for the issues facing young women and persons with disabilities (PwD) in Jordan and actively contribute to policy-making.
The five-year programme, titled “Towards Inclus...
05 Jul 2021
The EU reaffirms its commitment to strengthen the relations with Jordan
5 July 2021 - Amman, Jordan - Today, the European Union reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening its strategic relationship with Jordan during a country event organised by the West Asia-North Africa (WANA) Institute. The country event aimed to explore more in-depth bilateral dynamics of the New ...
30 Jun 2021
The WANA Institute Empowering Civil Society to Advocate for Environmental Sustainability
Amman, Jordan – Six Community-Based Organisations (CBOs) received financial awards worth £150,000 to implement projects to enhance the role of local communities -in the southern and northern governorates- in addressing environmental issues. The projects are funded by the European Union in Jordan an...
02 Jan 2021
We have fears and Uncertainties!
Amman, Jordan - The West Asia and North Africa Institute (WANA) in partnership with IM Swedish Partner published four policy papers that aim to raise the voices of vulnerable women and people with disabilities to be heard by policy-makers in Jordan.
Through a Participatory Action Research (PAR) pro...
30 Nov 2020
Roundtable - Jordan-EU Dialogue on Human Security Issues
AMMAN- JORDAN, The West Asia-North Africa (WANA) Institute in partnership with Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) hosted an interactive roundtable on “Jordan-EU Dialogue on Human Security Issues” on 30 November in Amman. Academic experts, civil society actors, and government representatives participated...
22 Jul 2020
The Role of the Family and the Media in Combating Extremist Ideology
AMMAN, JORDAN: The Strong Cities Network in Jordan, and in collaboration with the implementing partner, the West Asia-North Africa (WANA) Institute, held its fifth “Diwaneyeh”, on Wednesday, July 22, 2020, titled: “The Role of the Family and the Media In Combating Extremist Ideology” as part of the...
15 Jul 2020
The Role of Civil Society Organizations in Combating Extremist Ideology
AMMAN, JORDAN: The Strong Cities Network in Jordan , and in collaboration with our implementing partner, the West Asia-North Africa (WANA) Institute, held its Fourth virtual panel discussion (Diwaniya) on Wednesday, July 15, 2020, titled: “THE ROLE OF CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS IN COMBATING EXTREMI...
24 Jun 2020
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...
10 Jun 2020
The Role of Moderate Religious Discourse in Combating Extremist Ideology
AMMAN, JORDAN: The Strong Cities Network in Jordan and Lebanon, and in collaboration with our implementing partner, the West Asia-North Africa (WANA) Institute, held its second virtual panel discussion (Diwaneyeh) on Wednesday, June 10, 2020, titled: “The Role of Moderate Religious Discourse in Comb...
21 May 2020
The Role of Youth in Countering Extremist Ideology
AMMAN, JORDAN: The Strong Cities Network in Jordan, and in collaboration with our implementing partner, the West Asia-North Africa (WANA) Institute, held its first virtual seminar (Diwaneyeh) on Thursday, May 21, 2020, as part of the network’s newly launched series of virtual seminars: “Diwaneyat” i...
22 Dec 2019
Press conference to launch policy papers on the inclusive participation of vulnerable women and people with disabilities in social and economic life
Today, the West Asia and North Africa Institute (WANA) held a press conference to launch three policy papers within the project "Towards Inclusive Participation of Vulnerable Women and People with Disabilities in Social and Economic Life" in partnership with IMIVIDUELL MÄNNISKOHJÄLP (IM). This proje...
08 Dec 2019
Contribute to Encouraging Knowledge and Technology Transfer and Adoption between Jordan and Taiwan
The West Asia and North Africa (WANA) Institute and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Jordan are hosting an end-of-project conference to share Taiwan’s environmental excellence. The project “Contribute to Encouraging Knowledge and Technology Transfer and Adoption between Jordan and Taiwan”...
17 Nov 2019
End of project workshop: Towards More Effective Human Security Approaches
A recent research project by the West Asia-North Africa (WANA) Institute provides insight into Human Security (HS) approaches that empower community stakeholders to participate in and contribute to security dynamics. How improved HS programming can address the drivers of violent extremism? How state...
17 Apr 2019
Measuring the Impact of the Syrian Refugee Crisis on the Jordanian Economy
The West Asia-North Africa (WANA) Institute and Mercy Corps held a high-level panel discussion on Wednesday to highlight their recent research findings on the impact of the Syrian refugee crisis on the Jordanian economy.
The panel consisted of Reem Goussous, Managing Director of Endeavor Jordan; Lai...
13 Mar 2019
Reducing the Costs of Aid Operations through Cleaner Energy
The Working Group on Energy and Water of the Moving Energy Initiative held its closing workshop on 13 March in Amman. Over the past two years, the Working Group has brought together government, humanitarian, NGO, and business actors in Jordan in support of the energy priorities of the Jordan Respons...
07 Feb 2019
Sustaining Peace in the WANA Region
In partnership with the West Asia-North Africa (WANA) Institute, the Dag Hammarskjöld Foundation hosted an interactive workshop on Sustaining Peace in the WANA Region on 6 and 7 February in Amman. Academic experts, UN staff, civil society actors, and government representatives participated in the di...
17 Oct 2018
Jordanian Minister for Labour HE Samir Murad Speaks at Wilton Park Event on Youth Unemployment in the Levant alongside Young Jordanian Entrepreneurs
Wilton Park, with the support of the WANA Institute, has gathered 50 experts from 13 countries in Jordan from 16 to 18 October to address the employment challenges currently facing young people in the Levant region. The region has the highest youth unemployment rate in the world, standing in Jordan,...
19 Sep 2018
Documentary Shows Al-Karamah’s Struggles with Water and Energy
While Al-Karamah used to be called ‘Alabar’ (the wells), the inhabitants face severe water shortages today. A new documentary by the West Asia-North Africa (WANA) Institute and the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) depicts the daily struggles of local families with water, electricity, and other issues....
10 Sep 2018
WANA Region Needs Youth-Focused Human Security Approach
According to the latest Global Peace Index GPI 2018, the West Asia-North Africa (WANA) region is less peaceful today than at any time in the past decade. In a recent publication, the WANA Institute argues that introducing a youth-focused human security approach can help tackle the region’s security ...
12 Aug 2018
Improved Human Security Measures to Counter Violent Extremism in Jordan, Lebanon, and Tunisia
The West Asia-North Africa (WANA) Institute gathered 20 stakeholders from Jordan, Lebanon, and Tunisia in Amman today to discuss its preliminary research findings emerging from a regional research project titled “Towards more effective human security approaches in Jordan, Lebanon, and Tunisia.”
Huma...
08 Jul 2018
Local Communities in Jordan Train for Climate Change Adaptation
30 climate change youth ambassadors and 30 community-based organisations (CBOs) from Irbid, Zarqa and Balqa participated in a capacity-building session on climate change theory and science in Amman over the weekend.
It was the first of five workshops organised by the West Asia–North Africa (WANA) In...
28 Jun 2018
Reducing Social Pressures through Energy Cost-Savings and Renewable Energy Investments
How can Jordan scale up the use of renewable energy and energy efficiency measures in line with the Jordan Response Plan and Jordan’s Economic Growth Plan? The WANA Institute, Chatham House, EDAMA, and the NRC hosted two workshops as part of the Moving Energy Initiative.
The roundtable meeting on 27...
06 May 2018
Syrian Refugee Employment Trends in Jordan
A recent publication by the West Asia-North Africa (WANA) Institute provides insight into Syrian refugee employment trends in Jordan. Are Syrians employed in their preferred sector? Can the labour market absorb all Syrian workers? And how do Syrian workers feel about a potential return to post-confl...
26 Apr 2018
From Global to Local: Debating Security Plus in the Jordanian Context
The West Asia-North Africa (WANA) Institute and Friends of Europe gathered 15 national experts and policy-makers on Thursday to discuss how to localise Preventing/Countering Violent Extremism (P/CVE) efforts. Participants debated on how to implement community-driven P/CVE projects and design counter...
23 Apr 2018
CBOs Meet with Potential Donors during Civil Society Project's Final Workshop
On 23 April, 22 Community-Based Organisations (CBOs) completed their series of capacity-building workshops as part of the Middle East Partnership Initiative’s (MEPI) civil society project carried out by the West Asia-North Africa (WANA) Institute.
During the final workshop on 22 and 23 April, potent...
19 Apr 2018
WANA – FES Book Launch: A Region in Motion
Under the patronage of HRH Prince El Hassan bin Talal, the West Asia-North Africa (WANA) Institute and Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) launched their new book “A Region in Motion: Reflections from West Asia-North Africa” on Thursday.
The book is an anthology of research conducted by the WANA Institut...
15 Apr 2018
Project to Strengthen Jordanian Civil Society Comes to a Close
On 15 April, 80 Community-Based Organisations (CBOs), youth initiatives and policy think tanks gathered for the closing ceremony of the European Union funded Civil Society Project carried out by the West Asia-North Africa (WANA) Institute in cooperation with the National Center for Human Rights. The...
19 Mar 2018
Post-Daesh and Still Desperate
Despite Daesh’s military defeat, many of the drivers that encouraged individuals to join the violent extremist group have not been addressed. According to a recent West Asia-North Africa (WANA) Institute report, violent extremist groups are adjusting their recruitment techniques accordingly.
While m...
19 Feb 2018
Donors, Government, Civil Society Discuss Development Priorities for Jordan
The West Asia-North Africa (WANA) Institute presented its policy paper on development priorities for Jordan to government officials and donor agencies on 19 February. The meeting aimed to find common ground between civil society organisations (CSOs), ministries, and donor agencies.
The policy paper ...
18 Feb 2018
WANA Searches Climate Change Youth Ambassadors
The West Asia–North Africa (WANA) Institute is launching a contest in search of climate change youth ambassadors from Irbid, Zarqa and Balqa.
Youth from Irbid, Zarqa and Balqa between the ages of 19 and 25 are invited to submit a video or photo story explaining their original solution to a water, en...
13 Feb 2018
Jordanian Think Tanks Discuss the Role of Civil Society in Protecting Human Rights in Jordan
Jordanian think tanks and policy NGOs discussed the role of civil society organisations in protecting human rights during a roundtable discussion hosted by the West Asia-North Africa (WANA) Institute on 13 February.
The roundtable discussion highlighted the need to assure that Jordanian laws and reg...
20 Dec 2017
Women’s Role in Countering Violent Extremism
An estimated 3,000 of the 20,000 foreign fighters who joined Daesh were women. While the focus has primarily been on Western cases, women from the West Asia – North Africa region were also drawn to the cause. A recent study by the WANA Institute analyses how women are affected by violent extremist o...
10 Dec 2017
Jordanian Civil Society as an Impactful Development Stakeholder
Over the next 7 months, 60 Jordanian Community-Based Organisations (CBOs), 5 policy NGOs and 5 think tanks will take part in the WANA Institute’s Civil Society project, funded by the European Union (EU). The first capacity building workshops took place in Aqaba on 9 and 10 December.
The project “Str...
26 Nov 2017
Media Narratives Countering Violent Extremism
On 26 November 2017, the West Asia - North Africa (WANA) Institute gathered 40 international and local experts to discuss the role of media narratives in countering violent extremism (CVE) in Jordan.
The WANA Institute shared its research findings, which analysed examples of radicalisation counter-n...
12 Nov 2017
Towards a Unified Human Security and P/CVE Method in Jordan
A recent study by the West Asia – North Africa (WANA) Institute shows that more efforts are needed to unite human security and preventing/countering violent extremism (P/CVE) methods in Jordan.
The research argues that P/CVE should be understood as a pillar of human security, as opposed to as an iso...
29 Oct 2017
Helping Young Peacemakers Overcome the Barriers they Face
60 leaders from 10 countries gathered in Jordan from 16 to 18 October to address the challenges and opportunities young peacemakers face. The conference was the second event in the Wilton Park Youth Dialogues, organised by Wilton Park in partnership with the West Asia – North Africa (WANA) Institute...
19 Oct 2017
A Sustainable Future for Jordan: Implementing the SDGs after the Voluntary National Review
On 19 October 2017, the West Asia – North Africa Institute (WANA) and Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) hosted a high-level panel discussion on Jordan’s efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. The event was held under the patronage of HRH Prince El Hassan bin Talal.
The pan...