Jenin
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The University of Jordan, Amman-Jordan
The Role of Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the United States of America
Dr. Talal Al-Qudah
By:
[Jenin]
Abstract
Non-government Organizations play a crucial role in the advancement and development of civil society. They record abuse and report it, provide charity, organize communities and fund activities and seek funding. Government legislation in both Jordan and the United states allows Civil society organizations to flourish yet remain in line with the law. The relationship between CSOs/NGOs, society, and the government overlaps and similarities exist between the USA and Jordan in that regard. Differences however also do exist and the different financial and societal requirements range from country to country and organization to organization
Table of Contents
Abstract______________________________________xi
Introduction __________________________________1
Civil Society in Jordan___________________________2
Role of Civil Society Organizations_________________2
CSO/NGO regulation and criticism_________________3
CSO benefits__________________________________5
NGOs in America_______________________________6
Comparing Jordanian and American NGOs__________7
Conclusion____________________________________9
References___________________________________11
The role of Non-governmental Organizations in the Kingdom of Jordan and the United States
Introduction
Non-governmental organizations or NGOs are established with the objective of helping and empowering civil society through some form of service. Whether they are established by religious institutions, neighborhood communities or groups of people, NGOs maintain the same objective of providing for a change for the better. NGOs operate in different fields such as human rights, women’s rights, environmental protection, or charity. While the term “non-governmental” implies that the organization is not associated with a government, cooperation and operating funds could very well be provided for by the government.
The United States government finances a wide spectrum of NGOs in its annual budget, and promotes the shared principles. The strict interpretation of non-governmental organizations as having nothing to do with the government is therefore inapplicable. What an NGO seeks to achieve is often under the jurisdiction or power of the government, and therefore while not being an official branch of the government, an NGO could be in contact, cooperation, and dialogue with the government. In the United States, NGOs maintain their independence by refusing to advocate a certain political agenda, or refusing to induct government officials as members of the organization while at the same time lobbying politicians for funding or legislation. The same is true for Jordan, however this is not the only case; members of the royal family fund and operate NGOs and cooperate with government officials to promote development, while other NGOs in Jordan are charities affiliated with religious institutions or political parties such as the Islamic Action Front. The government tolerates civil society organizations (or CSOs, as they are known in Jordan) as long as they do not directly promote a political agenda and maintain services for the whole of society.
Civil Society in Jordan
Civil society in Jordan has roots within the tribal system, which is an essential pillar of Jordanian society. Tribes play important roles in Jordanian politics, and the family structure in Jordanian society is in itself a charity organization that looks after the benefits of the members of the tribe. Indeed, the formal legal system does not eliminate the tribal concept of families in its definition of societies. Civil Society organizations are legally allowed for under the Jordanian constitution as Article 16 of the Constitution of the Hashemite Kingdom Jordan states:
Role of Civil Society Organizations
Many formal CSOs in Jordan initially focused on charity and other aid activities until Jordan acceded to international conventions. With the Jordanian ratification of the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights, CSOs began to raise public awareness related to human rights. Assembly and association, while prevalent throughout Jordanian history, became formal legislative rights.
Today, in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, over 3,500 international and local civil society organizations exist and operate. Given the limited financial resources of the Kingdom and given the national agenda of sustaining social, environmental, and civil progress by promoting development, education, and fighting poverty – NGOs play an important and beneficial role in advancing these agendas. Members of the Hashemite royal family and some members of the government interact with certain NGOs, such as the Jordan River foundation, established by her majesty Queen Rania Al-Abdullah , in such a way that encourages cooperation and enhances government efforts to sustain the development of civil society and the environment. This is supported by the objectives stated on the Jordan River Foundation website,
CSO/NGO regulation and criticism
While the government agrees with most NGO principles, it plays a cautious role of maintaining oversight and has been criticized by a coalition of Jordanian NGOs for recent attempts at renewing legislation regarding civil society organizations. Until recently, civil society organizations (CSOs) were governed by the “Law on Societies No. 33”, established in 1966, which allowed for strong government interference in the affairs of CSOs or NGOs. In 2008, the “Law on Societies No. 51” was enacted; easing some government restrictions and bureaucracy, while expanding the definition of NGOs and explaining the role and obligations of the government in the regulation. This new law, however, was met with a lot of criticism because it still restricted civic space. The following excerpt to a news story published by the UAE newspaper “The National” on February 16, 2009 explains:
Although NGOs and civil society groups called the proposed amendments a step forward, they said they fell short of expectations.
After the coalition of Jordanian NGOs lobbied government, including appeals to his majesty King Abdullah Al-Hussein II himself, the 2008 Law was amended by the 2009 “Law Amending the Law on Societies No. 22”, thus easing bureaucracy, unifying the authority responsible with dealing with NGOs, and formally energizing civil society organizational participation by clarifying the law. Mohammed Khasawneh, secretary general of the ministry of social development explained at the time of the 2009 amendments:
While in Jordan the government and NGOs share similar wishes for the advancing of civil society and improving the conditions of the environment, disagreements and criticism of the government from some NGOs is evident. Criticism regarding cases of abuse of Women’s rights and prisoner rights are prevalent among international and local NGOs. While such criticism is unflattering, the Jordanian government has shown that it can take issues of concern seriously and has over the course of time introduced legislation and government policy to improve conditions. Within the past two years, the practice of “rough” interrogations involving physical abuse of detainees has been ended. While official government policy was always in that direction, the actual implementation of such policy was lacking until recently.
The Role of Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the United States of America
Dr. Talal Al-Qudah
By:
[Jenin]
Abstract
Non-government Organizations play a crucial role in the advancement and development of civil society. They record abuse and report it, provide charity, organize communities and fund activities and seek funding. Government legislation in both Jordan and the United states allows Civil society organizations to flourish yet remain in line with the law. The relationship between CSOs/NGOs, society, and the government overlaps and similarities exist between the USA and Jordan in that regard. Differences however also do exist and the different financial and societal requirements range from country to country and organization to organization
Table of Contents
Abstract______________________________________xi
Introduction __________________________________1
Civil Society in Jordan___________________________2
Role of Civil Society Organizations_________________2
CSO/NGO regulation and criticism_________________3
CSO benefits__________________________________5
NGOs in America_______________________________6
Comparing Jordanian and American NGOs__________7
Conclusion____________________________________9
References___________________________________11
The role of Non-governmental Organizations in the Kingdom of Jordan and the United States
Introduction
Non-governmental organizations or NGOs are established with the objective of helping and empowering civil society through some form of service. Whether they are established by religious institutions, neighborhood communities or groups of people, NGOs maintain the same objective of providing for a change for the better. NGOs operate in different fields such as human rights, women’s rights, environmental protection, or charity. While the term “non-governmental” implies that the organization is not associated with a government, cooperation and operating funds could very well be provided for by the government.
The United States government finances a wide spectrum of NGOs in its annual budget, and promotes the shared principles. The strict interpretation of non-governmental organizations as having nothing to do with the government is therefore inapplicable. What an NGO seeks to achieve is often under the jurisdiction or power of the government, and therefore while not being an official branch of the government, an NGO could be in contact, cooperation, and dialogue with the government. In the United States, NGOs maintain their independence by refusing to advocate a certain political agenda, or refusing to induct government officials as members of the organization while at the same time lobbying politicians for funding or legislation. The same is true for Jordan, however this is not the only case; members of the royal family fund and operate NGOs and cooperate with government officials to promote development, while other NGOs in Jordan are charities affiliated with religious institutions or political parties such as the Islamic Action Front. The government tolerates civil society organizations (or CSOs, as they are known in Jordan) as long as they do not directly promote a political agenda and maintain services for the whole of society.
Civil Society in Jordan
Civil society in Jordan has roots within the tribal system, which is an essential pillar of Jordanian society. Tribes play important roles in Jordanian politics, and the family structure in Jordanian society is in itself a charity organization that looks after the benefits of the members of the tribe. Indeed, the formal legal system does not eliminate the tribal concept of families in its definition of societies. Civil Society organizations are legally allowed for under the Jordanian constitution as Article 16 of the Constitution of the Hashemite Kingdom Jordan states:
Article 16 [Organizations, Parties]: (1) Jordanians shall have the right to hold meetings within the limits of the law. (2) Jordanians are entitled to establish societies and political parties provided that the objects of such societies and parties are lawful, their methods peaceful, and their by-laws not contrary to the provisions of the Constitution. (3) The establishment of societies and political parties and the control of their resources shall be regulated by law.
Role of Civil Society Organizations
Many formal CSOs in Jordan initially focused on charity and other aid activities until Jordan acceded to international conventions. With the Jordanian ratification of the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights, CSOs began to raise public awareness related to human rights. Assembly and association, while prevalent throughout Jordanian history, became formal legislative rights.
Today, in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, over 3,500 international and local civil society organizations exist and operate. Given the limited financial resources of the Kingdom and given the national agenda of sustaining social, environmental, and civil progress by promoting development, education, and fighting poverty – NGOs play an important and beneficial role in advancing these agendas. Members of the Hashemite royal family and some members of the government interact with certain NGOs, such as the Jordan River foundation, established by her majesty Queen Rania Al-Abdullah , in such a way that encourages cooperation and enhances government efforts to sustain the development of civil society and the environment. This is supported by the objectives stated on the Jordan River Foundation website,
“The Jordan River Foundation (JRF), established in 1995 and Chaired by Her Majesty Queen Rania Al-Abdullah, is a non-profit Jordanian non-governmental organization (NGO). Our vision is to empower society, especially women and children, and in turn, improve the quality of life to secure a better future for all Jordanians. The Jordan River Foundation's mission is to promote, in partnership with stakeholders, the development of a dynamic Jordanian society by initiating and supporting sustainable social, economic and cultural programs that empower communities and individuals based on their needs and priorities.”
CSO/NGO regulation and criticism
While the government agrees with most NGO principles, it plays a cautious role of maintaining oversight and has been criticized by a coalition of Jordanian NGOs for recent attempts at renewing legislation regarding civil society organizations. Until recently, civil society organizations (CSOs) were governed by the “Law on Societies No. 33”, established in 1966, which allowed for strong government interference in the affairs of CSOs or NGOs. In 2008, the “Law on Societies No. 51” was enacted; easing some government restrictions and bureaucracy, while expanding the definition of NGOs and explaining the role and obligations of the government in the regulation. This new law, however, was met with a lot of criticism because it still restricted civic space. The following excerpt to a news story published by the UAE newspaper “The National” on February 16, 2009 explains:
Although NGOs and civil society groups called the proposed amendments a step forward, they said they fell short of expectations.
“What has been proposed is good, but our main requirements were not considered,” said Hani Hourani, director of Al Urdun al Jadid, a think tank and NGO involved in sustainable development and advocacy in Jordan and the Arab world.
“We do not want any interference in the way NGOs manage themselves so that we can be partners with the government to help in implementing public policy and projects that can support the development opportunities. The current law impedes our work because the government can interfere with our decisions and attend our meetings.
Taleb al Saqqaf, a lawyer and the head of Human and Environment Observatory, an NGO involved in human rights issues, said “the amendments proposed indicate that the government recognises our role as NGOs and civil society, but we want the government to be committed to its obligations under the international instruments for human rights”
After the coalition of Jordanian NGOs lobbied government, including appeals to his majesty King Abdullah Al-Hussein II himself, the 2008 Law was amended by the 2009 “Law Amending the Law on Societies No. 22”, thus easing bureaucracy, unifying the authority responsible with dealing with NGOs, and formally energizing civil society organizational participation by clarifying the law. Mohammed Khasawneh, secretary general of the ministry of social development explained at the time of the 2009 amendments:
“We want to make it easier for NGOs to carry out their work. We are taking their remarks into consideration and we will study them together. If there are changes that need to be made and they are logical then we do not have a problem with that”
While in Jordan the government and NGOs share similar wishes for the advancing of civil society and improving the conditions of the environment, disagreements and criticism of the government from some NGOs is evident. Criticism regarding cases of abuse of Women’s rights and prisoner rights are prevalent among international and local NGOs. While such criticism is unflattering, the Jordanian government has shown that it can take issues of concern seriously and has over the course of time introduced legislation and government policy to improve conditions. Within the past two years, the practice of “rough” interrogations involving physical abuse of detainees has been ended. While official government policy was always in that direction, the actual implementation of such policy was lacking until recently.