USAID, IYF, Government of Jordan Launch New Youth Services in Central Ghor, TAG-Org Sign Agreement with ‘That Al Netaquein’

AMMAN ---- July 7, 2013 ----- Under the patronage of HE Dr. Talal Abu-Ghazaleh, chairman of Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Organization (TAG-Org) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Acting Mission Director Mr. Douglas Ball, Youth for the Future (Y4F), a program of the International Youth Foundation (IYF) funded by the USAID and carried out in partnership with the Government of Jordan, launched a range of new youth services at That Al Netaquein, a women’s charity association located in central Ghor.

Attending the launch were officials from USAID, Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Organization, Ministry of Social Development (MoSD), Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation (MoPIC), the British Council, and Zaha Cultural Center. Also present were several local partners including the Governor of Deir Alla, charity and youth associations, as well as That Al Netaquein beneficiaries and their families.

During the visit, TAG-Org signed an agreement with That Al Netaquein to provide accredited certificates in information technology skills from the Cambridge International Examinations, University of Cambridge to members and beneficiaries of the association.

About building the capacity of staff and workers in local communities, HE Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh said:"Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Organization tries to maximize efforts to locate all resources to share and cooperate with bodies and institutions that contribute to the growth and development of communities, especially those related to building the capacity of staff and workers in these communities. We are proud to be part of this event."

That Al Netaquein is one of several community-based organizations (CBOs) Y4F has partnered with over the past two years to enhance the level of services offered to youth and increase their employability. As part of its nationwide efforts, Y4F supported the establishment of new facilities at That Al Netaquein to provide local youth with training and employment opportunities. The new facilities include a Career Guidance and Life Skills Center, as well as an IT Club offering training certificates accredited by the University of Cambridge, and set up in collaboration with TAG-Org. Also launched was a Youth Creativity Center, co-established with Zaha Cultural Center, offering art, music, Arabic calligraphy, and handicraft training programs and an English Club, set up in partnership with the British Council, providing English training courses carried out using drama, storytelling, and online interaction.

The new facilities were established based on the interests of local youth and are supervised by a team of IYF-trained specialists. That Al Netaquein’s trained staff is now able to engage with trainees in an interactive manner through youth-friendly approaches that promote creativity and enhance the skills required for them to successfully enter the job market.  

Commenting on the launch of the new youth services at That Al Netaquein, USAID acting Mission Director Douglas Ball, said, “A key ingredient to the success of any program is measured by the leadership and local ownership of CBO’s such as That Al Netaquein. This organization demonstrated its commitment to serving youth at risk and opened its doors to create a supportive environment for youth in the area”.

Highlighting the success that That Al Netaquein has achieved in partnership with Y4F, IYF Jordan Country Director, Rana Al Turk, said, “We are proud of the successes that That Al Netaquein has achieved in partnership with Y4F in such a short period of time. That Al Netaquein was able to build its capacity and is now equipped to enhance young people’s employability prospects through technical and life skills training that ultimately benefit their families and communities. This is achieved through close collaboration with local community organizations in central Ghor, including vocational training centers, labor directorates and youth centers.”
Ms. Fada Hadidi, That Al Netaquein founder said:"We thank everyone who made this possible; what you have presented is really amazing and we are looking forward for more work for this society."

The visit concluded with a session featuring Jordanian folklore dances and performances by the trainees.

About Youth for the Future

Youth for the Future - formerly known as Youth:Work Jordan (YWJ) - is a five-year  program of the International Youth Foundation (IYF) carried out in partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Government of Jordan. Working in collaboration with public, private, and civil society organizations, the program aims to create an enabling environment for vulnerable youth, ages 15 to 24, by improving the quality of services offered to young individuals who have dropped-out of school, are unemployed or lack opportunity.

Y4F offers disadvantaged youth technical and life skills training (e.g. effective communication, teamwork, conflict resolution, and career preparation) in order to equip them to succeed in both the workplace and their daily lives. 

About Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Organization

Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Organization (TAG-Org) believes that it has a responsibility towards the communities where its offices operate; TAG-Org has introduced and implemented various initiatives and programs that have contributed in alleviating some social problems.

TAG-Org has met its social obligations and participated since its inception in motivating and developing social development projects and focused on supporting education, qualifying and training out of the belief of HE Dr. Talal Abu-Ghazaleh, TAG-Org founder that the establishment of proper and correct communities lies in the important role of education to support capacity building which will consequently lead to the growth in the economy.