2003

(Office of Her Majesty – Press Department – Amman) - In line with national efforts to empower youth and equip them with the necessary skills needed for the developing job market and to reduce unemployment, Her Majesty Queen Rania Al-Abdullah on Sunday inaugurated the Women Vocational Training Center in Abu Nsair and toured its facilities.

(Office of Her Majesty, Press Department - Amman) Her Majesty Queen Rania Al-Abdullah commended the work of doctors and volunteers who seek to put a smile on the faces of children by operating on those suffering from facial deformities as part of Operation Smile programs worldwide.

Describing Operation Smile as “a group that is changing the face of the world,” Queen Rania said “the greatest success of the organization is in sharing and spreading knowledge. For, in this way, the chain of giving just keeps growing longer and stronger.”

GENEVA - Her Majesty Queen Rania Al-Abdullah stressed that access to human dignity and respect is just as important as access to education, medicine and technology.

“The right to human dignity is non-negotiable. The world’s great faiths and philosophies all draw strength from the same core belief that dignity is intrinsic to humankind as a universal birthright,” Queen Rania said at the 28th International Conference of the Red Cross and the Red Crescent Societies in Geneva.

And welcome back to CAPITAL REPORT. Her country is surrounded by violence and political upheaval, but Queen Rania of Jordan has gained a reputation as a broker for peace in the Middle East. Earlier today in an exclusive interview, we asked the queen about the UN Security Council's unanimous approval of the resolution on Iraq.

Had the potential problems of the war been underestimated?

Your Majesty Queen Silvia [Queen of Sweden, co-recipient of 2003 German Media Prize],

Distinguished guests,

Herr Koegol [Mr. Karlheinz Koegel, Chairman of German Media Prize],
When I think of all the eminent people who have received this award, I am truly honored and touched to be standing in front of you as a recipient.  And I am delighted to be here tonight.  I am particularly proud to be sharing this stage with Her Majesty Queen Silvia.

The prospect of war has put many US allies in a tricky position, Jordan, chief among them. During the last Gulf War, King Hussein didn't side with the United States. His son, King Abdullah, has made a different decision allowing thousands of US troops along the border. But it's a delicate situation, and the King isn't talking in public. Still, we convinced the Queen to sit down with us for a wide ranging interview.
 
One of the first reminders this is no ordinary queen, she drives herself around town.
 
video clip of Queen Rania
 

Back here in Amman, Jordan, on a cold and rainy night. As I said earlier, by virtue of its geography with Iraq, Syria and Israel for neighbors, and its modest economic circumstances, Jordan has so much at stake in the decision on whether there will be a war against Iraq. And two people caught in the middle of all the cross currents are this country's king and queen. King Abdullah, who succeeded his father, the late King Hussein, and his wife, Queen Rania.

(Office of Her Majesty, Press Department - Amman) Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah, President of the Arab Women’s Summit on Monday announced the official launch of the Arab Women’s Organization during the first meeting of the organization’s Executive Council.

The organization, which will operate under the umbrella of the Arab League, aims to empower Arab women, encourage their participation in the development process of their respective communities and draw unified strategies to improve the status of women in the Arab World.

(Office of Her Majesty, Press Department - Amman) Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah called for the establishment of a resource center to provide development organizations and policy-makers with research and information on family issues.

Queen Rania, President of NCFA, discussed the idea at the National Council for Family Affairs board meeting, during which the council presented its plan of work for 2003.