Latouf Patronizes Shabakat Al Ordon Graduation Event "Positive Change Through Technology"

Latouf Patronizes Shabakat Al Ordon Graduation Event "Positive Change Through Technology"

Amman – February 2010

Under the patronage of Her Excellency Mrs. Hala Latouf, Minister of Social Development, Shabakat Al Ordon in collaboration with USAID Economic Development Program SABEQ recently held the graduation ceremony for 100 youth trainees in Al Kerak governorate at Mu'atah University. The Youth have completed the graduation requirements of the Shabakat "Positive Change Through Technology" Program, were the Shabakat team built the capacity of the youth to be able to empower 800 beneficiaries in 34 locations that have been authorized to implement the program activities and projects across Kerak, Faqou', Ghor Al Mazra', Ghor Al Safi and the Southern Ghor, and incubate 80 positive change projects that respond to their community needs and integrate technologies in day to day activities.

The ceremony was attended by all participants, partners, supporters and community members along with (USAID) Jordan officials and Shabakat Al Ordon’s team. The Pogram graduates managed to implement 80 community development projects that fall under; the "Our Enviroment" theme - water harvesting and energy saving- "Our Families" theme – early childhood and women empowerment through digital literacy – "Our Businesses" theme - capacity development of micro and small enterprises through technology.

Her Excellency the Minister of Social Development commended on Shabakat's effort in implementing and successfully executing the "Positive Change Through Technology" program through partnership with grass-root level community development organizations.

In her speech, Dr. Ruba Jaradat, Economic Growth Office at the USAID Jordan said the USAID works to enhance economic development initiatives in Jordan, particularly regional initiatives, which occupies a major and important part of the Agency's work. Shabakat Chairman of the board, Mr. Azzam Shweihat, thanked HE Ms. Hala Latouf for patronizing the graduation ceremony and thanked Mutah University for hosting the event. Mr. Shweihat also urged the Ministry of Social Development to take advantage of the Shabakat operating model and methodology and to make use of the Shabakat platform of authorized locations across all governorates of Jordan to achieve the desired objectives of the development strategies adopted recently by the Government of Jordan.

Shabakat Al Ordon is a not-for-profit limited liability company incorporated in Jordan in 2005 to institutionalize the NetCorps Jordan program launched by HMK Abdullah II in 2002. Shabakat youth integrate information and communication technologies in the day-to-day lives of their communities to positively transform our families, education, businesses, environment and community.

Until February 2010 Shabakat has empowered 11,080 community members who incubated 3,132 life transforming projects, facilitated by 568 Shabakat Youth - include 315 females - who provided 64,626 man days in 207 Shabakat community since 2006.

The USAID Jordan Economic Development Program (SABEQ) is a five year broad economic development initiative implemented by Deloitte Consulting LLP and a sizeable team of international and Jordanian partner firms. The Program’s mission is to support sectors and activities in alignment with His Majesty King Abdullah’s vision for a Knowledge-based Economy, by inserting Jordanian enterprises into global value chains, promoting investment, and improving the enabling environment to generate value added jobs, exports, foreign direct investment, and sector revenues as a powerful engine of economic growth.