Amman, Feb 9 (Petra) – The Higher Steering Committee for the National Social Protection Strategy launched its first national consultations with the media sector on Sunday as part of efforts to update the strategy for the years 2025-2033.

The event was attended by Minister of Government Communication and Government Spokesperson Mohammad Momani, Minister of Social Development Wafa Bani Mustafa, heads of strategy pillars, directors of media institutions, editors-in-chief of newspapers and news websites, journalists, and experts.

Momani stated that the primary objective of the meeting was to present the key features of the updated strategy and gather initial feedback from media representatives. He emphasized the critical role of the media in raising public awareness of the strategy and its components, noting that its role extends beyond news reporting to addressing the needs of vulnerable social groups and fostering their self-reliance through integrated efforts.

Bani Mustafa highlighted the intensive national efforts underway to update the strategy, aligning the social protection sector with the three modernization tracks launched by His Majesty King Abdullah II, particularly the economic modernization pathway.

She added that the government has responded to His Majesty’s directives outlined in the royal letter of designation to Prime Minister Jaafar Hassan, which emphasized expanding social protection and care, prioritizing support for the most vulnerable groups, and integrating economic empowerment initiatives to provide opportunities for them. She confirmed that the government announced in its policy statement that the strategy will be launched in the second quarter of this year.

Bani Mustafa underscored the importance of this first consultative meeting with the media sector to gather feedback on the draft strategy as part of the updated communication and outreach plan. She stressed the significant role of the media in raising awareness and ensuring the broadest possible dissemination of information about the national social protection strategy and its positive impact on citizens.

During the meeting, the strategy’s main pillars were presented by key officials, including Vice Chairman of the National Center for Security and Crisis Management (NCSCM), Brigadier General Hatim Zoubi (Head of Resilience Pillar), Director General of the Social Security Corporation (SSC), Mohammad Tarawneh (Head of Opportunity Pillar), Director General of the National Aid Fund, Khetham Shnaikat (Head of Dignity Pillar), and Assistant Secretary-General of the Ministry of Social Development, Ahmad Abu Haidar (Representatative of Head of Empowerment Pillar).

A short introductory film on the updated national social protection strategy was screened, followed by a review of communication and outreach mechanisms within the sector.

The session concluded with an extensive discussion in which journalists and strategy pillar heads addressed various social issues related to the strategy. Participants provided comments and recommendations, which will be studied and considered in the final version of the strategy.

//Petra// AF
09/02/2025 21:06:25