Princess Basma Highlights Community Development to WHO Delegation with Prince Harry

Princess Basma bint Talal emphasized the importance of community development and support for vulnerable populations during a meeting with a World Health Organization (WHO) delegation, which included Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex.

The delegation, led by WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus, visited the Queen Zein Al Sharaf Institute for Development in Amman as part of their tour of Jordan, where they were briefed on the Jordanian Hashemite Fund for Human Development's (JOHUD) programs and initiatives, according to a statement.

Princess Basma, who chairs JOHUD's Board of Trustees, highlighted the alignment between JOHUD's mission and the goals of Archewell Foundation, particularly in building resilient communities that support mental health, family well-being, and women's empowerment, as well as giving young people the confidence to shape their own futures.

The Princess underscored the strong partnership between WHO and Jordan, acknowledging WHO's role in strengthening primary healthcare, supporting health services for refugees, and responding to public health emergencies in the region and globally. She expressed hope for resilient communities where every individual, especially the most vulnerable, feels valued, supported, and empowered to thrive.

JOHUD Executive Director Farah Daghistani stated that JOHUD's network of centers, which will celebrate its 50th anniversary next year, covers all cities and villages in Jordan. She emphasized the network's focus on social impact, driven by young leaders who understand how local empowerment initiatives can address the Kingdom's social and economic priorities and enhance the role of JOHUD centers in contributing to the development process.

The WHO delegation commended JOHUD's developmental mission and the role of its development centers in providing promising spaces for youth to express themselves and develop their talents. They emphasized the importance of JOHUD's charitable programs and initiatives in promoting community development.

Directors of Princess Basma Development Centers across Jordan presented on their role in empowering young people and preparing them for the labor market through collaborative initiatives that enhance their capabilities and make them active members of society.

JOHUD centers promote youth participation in their management through elections that mirror the national model, contributing to the development of effective young leaders capable of taking responsibility and participating in decision-making.

The delegation also heard about JOHUD centers' experiences in addressing challenges related to refugees, promoting social cohesion between host communities and refugees, transforming these challenges into a sustainable development approach, providing safe spaces and programs for vulnerable groups, and creating an environment based on social justice and mutual trust.

During the visit, the delegation learned about JOHUD's "Farah Al Nas" radio station and its role in empowering communities and youth through informative media programs and dialogues, involving people with disabilities in media content creation, and encouraging community engagement and learning. They also visited Al Raja School for the Deaf, which provides a safe and inclusive educational space for students with disabilities to learn and innovate.