Jordan

(Jordan Times – Amman) – Her Majesty Queen Rania joined students and teaching staff at the University of Jordan (UJ), at the launch of a new master’s programme in human rights and humanitarian development.

The launch marked the Kingdom’s celebrations of Human Rights Day observed worldwide yesterday.

(Jordan Times – Aqaba) – Her Majesty Queen Rania on Friday toured several development projects currently being carried out in Aqaba’s old city and the surrounding area, expressing her support for diverse social, economic, educational and environment programmes in the port city.

The Aqaba neighbourhood known as the old city, which hosts a population of 7,000, is afflicted with a high unemployment rate and an abnormal rate of school drop-outs, according to a study carried out by the Jordan River Foundation (JRF).

(Office of Her Majesty – Press Department – Amman) - The historical city of Petra has dominated the headlines this year, as it continues to gain well-deserved recognition after being elected as one of the world’s “New 7 Wonders,” and rated by Virgin Atlantic as the number one most promising site to visit. 

(Office of Her Majesty – Press Department – Madaba) - Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah visited the village of Al Shgeig, near Madaba, today, where citizens voiced their concerns and highlighted the need to improve the infrastructure and living conditions in their community. 

The village is in a remote area near the district of Theeban, and some of the problems the citizens face include a lack of access to transportation, clean water and electricity. 

(Office of Her Majesty – Press Department – Amman) - Led by Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah, representatives from some of the Middle East’s most progressive organizations came together in Amman this week for a two-day meeting on how corporations and non-governmental organizations can best serve their shareholders and stakeholders by balancing profit with environmental protection, and equal opportunity.

(Office of Her Majesty – Press Department – Amman) - As the boys of the Anas Bin Malek Center, an orphanage in Wadi Al Seer, spent the afternoon figuring out creative ways to pass the hours until iftar, a surprise visit by Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah added some much welcomed excitement to the quiet afternoon.

Queen Rania, who was visiting the Wadi Al Seer area, stopped in for a quick spot check on the center, where she interacted with the children and distributed some gifts.

(Office of Her Majesty – Press Department – Dead Sea) - Over the past few years, conference halls at the Dead Sea have played host to world leaders and global businessmen coming together to exchange ideas and launch new projects. This Tuesday, the halls buzzed with a new kind of energy and optimism generated by young dynamic leaders, who came together for Naseej, a bold program launched by Their Majesties King Abdullah and Queen Rania in 2005.

(Office of Her Majesty – Press Department – Amman) - During the first day of a two-day conference focusing on sustainable business practices in the Arab world, Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah led a discussion focusing on youth employment and employability in the Arab world, Sunday, advising leaders from the business community to develop sustainable solutions to “bridge the gap between school and work.”

At the opening plenary of the second Arab Sustainability Leadership Group (ASLG) meeting, Queen Rania pointed out why youth employability is of major concern to the region. 

(Office of Her Majesty – Press Department – Dead Sea) - Taking on an unlikely role as a moderator, Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah engaged a distinguished panel in discussing the move from charity to active giving at the World Economic Forum in the Dead Sea.

"Irrespective of where you have come from, there are people – whether it's across the street from you, on the other side of town, or over the border – who can use a helping hand," said the Queen as she welcomed the panelists in the session titled “Defining Global Citizenship: From Philanthropy to Activism.” 

(Office of Her Majesty – Press Department – Amman) - As the heartbreaking news of Um Abdullah, a recently widowed mother of 11 children, and her struggles reached Jordanian readers, Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah was quick to respond to the widow’s pleas for help.

On Thursday, Queen Rania, who read the human interest piece in a local newspaper earlier this week, paid a surprise visit to the widow, who lost her husband to a sudden heart attack two months ago, to offer her solace, comfort and relief.