World Movement for Democracy - Using Advocacy to Achieve Democratic Reform

What's Being Done On . . . Using Advocacy to Achieve Democratic Reform?

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Informing for Change

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Interview

MEDIA REFORM- Premesh Chandran (Malaysia)

EDUCATIONAL REFORM- Muna Darwish (Jordan)

GOOD GOVERNANCE - Lyudmila Georgieva (Bulgaria)

HUMAN RIGHTS -Jacqueline Pitanguy (Brazil)

LEGISLATIVE REFORM - Elisabeth Ungar (Colombia)

World Movement Participants Database - Search for more information about groups using advocacy to achieve democratic reform.

Interview with Muna Darwish of the Jordanian Center for Civic Education Studies (Jordan)

Ms. Muna Darwish devotes her time at the Jordanian Center for Civic Education Studies to promoting civic participation and awareness among citizens and working with the Ministry of Education to advocate for educational reform.

Q: How was the Jordanian Center for Civic Education Studies formed and what is the organization's overall mission?

A: The Jordanian Center for Civic Education Studies was formed as a result of a grant awarded to it by Middle East Peace Initiative (MEPI). The Jordanian Center for Civic Education Studies (JCCES)is also a member of Arab Civitas, whose regional office is also located in Amman, Jordan.

The Organization's overall mission is to promote civic awareness among Jordanian citizens to enable them to become active citizens who are aware of their rights and responsibilities and those of others.

Q: What are the most effective strategies and tactics used in your work in advocating for educational reform? Please describe your methodology in a particular case/project.

A: The JCCES has worked to strengthen its relationships with educational institutions in both the governmental and private communities. It has promoted its first project, "Project Citizen," among public and private school students. "Project Citizen" trains students to study problems and issues in their local societies that they deem important. The activity prompts students to study public policies that deal with a problem or issue and thus make them aware, at a young age, of their roles as citizens who can affect change in their society through the use of their constitutional rights. They also are made aware of the importance of the rule of law in bringing about constructive change in a peaceful and fruitful manner.

Q: What has been your greatest accomplishment in advocating for changes in policies or procedures that has had a direct effect on educational reform?

A: The enthusiasm of the Ministry of Education about implementing the project in public schools for middle school students has been increasing. The Ministry is also increasingly aware of the importance of partnerships with NGOs that are active in the field of education. The JCCES is increasingly called upon to participate in national initiatives, such as "The Higher Council for Youth" and "The National Committee for Childhood," to provide materials and technical training for teachers and inspectors. This is a fundamental change in the government's performance in approaching NGOs to work in partnership with them.

Q: What are some examples of the common challenges that advocacy groups face in promoting reform?

A: Common challenges mainly center on resistance from groups or educators that advocate traditional, conservative, and sometimes religious values that do not accept programs like ours because they are of non-Arab origin. Our materials are based on materials produced originally by the Center for Civic Education (CCE). However, we extensively adapt them in translation to suit our local needs.

Q: What are the most effective strategies for overcoming these challenges and effectively implementing your work?

A: I think that the most effective strategy is to recognize and accept the fears and reservations of resisting groups. We give them our material to read and to comment on. When they do so, we feel that the resistance progressively decreases since all the books refer to the Jordanian Constitution, Jordanian Law, and Jordanian Society.

About "What's Being Done On . . . "

For three months at a time, we highlight the activities of various organizations in different global regions, and links to important resources, that are focused on a particular theme or area of democracy work. Each new theme is announced via DemocracyNews, and the information from the previous installment is placed in the archives below. We hope to receive and post information about the work you or others may be doing that is focused on these issues. Send information via e-mail to the or by fax to (202) 378-9889.