Eighty-five percent of registered Syrian refugee children live below the poverty line in Jordan, a new UNICEF report has found. “Syrian refugee families living in host communities in Jordan are increasingly struggling to meet their basic needs, including educating and…
Jordan’s shocking suicide rate is a sign of a society in crisis. By Osama Al Sharif Between 2011 and 2016, Jordan’s suicide rates rose 300 percent. During last year alone, 117 people took their own lives: 91 men and 26…
Offensive comments made on Facebook shouldn’t be used as an excuse to expand government control of free speech. By Osama Al Sharif The government has announced it will present a draft social media law to the Lower House that aims…
It’s been almost five years since the start of the Syrian crisis. During this time, over 2 million refugees have sought safety in surrounding states. While Jordan and Lebanon took early responsibility for those fleeing this wretched conflict, Europe is…
A new 15-year global development strategy was recently launched by the United Nations with the aim of ending poverty, promoting prosperity and people’s wellbeing, while protecting the environment. The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the 2030 Agenda or…
The rights enshrined in Jordan’s labor and social security laws don’t apply to agricultural laborers. This aberration harms the sector and the country’s wider economy. By Jawad J. Abbassi Unskilled agricultural workers in Jordan have very few rights. The Labor…
The United Nations Millennium Development Goals have managed to lift 1 billion people out of extreme poverty, according to a UN report released last month, which assessed the effectiveness of the 15-year strategy. Initiated in the year 2000, the eight…
Sadly, there was no cause for Jordan to celebrate World Press Freedom Day. By Osama Al Sharif Last month, Jordan, along with most countries, marked World Press Freedom Day. We didn’t rate well. The Freedom House Index placed Jordan 155…
Standing at the same amount as the budget deficit, Jordan’s bankrupt public pension system is funded solely by new debt. Rationally reducing its burden should be of prime importance. By Jawad J. Abbassi At the parliamentary discussions of the government…
The battle against religious extremism should be waged in the classroom, not just the battlefield. By Osama Al Sharif Our war on violent religious extremism became even more essential after the horrific execution of air force pilot Muath al-Kasasbeh by…