Voices from Jordan: An Alternative Narrative

As the self-proclaimed economic and other leaders of the world congregate at the lowest point on Earth, many economies around the world find themselves reaching new lows.

Through embracing a paradigm that strips economics of its political context, glazes over crucial issues with superficial platitudes, and fails to deliver, the economic dogmas of the past thirty years, promoted at institutions like the World Economic Forum (WEF), have failed to regulate markets or ensure equitable and sustainable economic growth.

Today, people around the world have amassed to demand change; a shift away from the crumbling paradigms that favor investments over social benefits, and profits over communities.

As a group of Jordanians whose country frequently hosts the World Economic Forum, we have been reflecting on this involvement. Several critical issues arise:

• An education initiative was launched in 2003 with the World Economic Forum. Today, the quality of education in Jordan is in sharp decline. An honest and transparent analysis of this partnership is crucial, followed by immediate steps to counteract the threat of poor education to our country and our region.
• In 2005, the forum held sessions on culture and arts, and discussed the role of cultural leaders in blazing trails of change. Positioning creative industries as integral to growing a healthy economy, financially and culturally, is no longer optional.
• Jordan has celebrated several mega projects announced at the World Economic Forum. Some of these remain undelivered, while others are under investigation for corruption. In 2011, the World Economic Forum catches up, and SMEs are on the programme. Still missing are: a friendly business environment; incentives; and transparent processes that support businesses built on localized sources of income and expenditure.
• Our tourism industry continues to waste opportunities and resources by systematically marginalizing the wealth of local communities and true inclusion. The debate needs to be completely reframed to place inclusion and social cohesion at the heart of the discussion on tourism.
• As the Arab region experiences extraordinary change, intra-Arab exchange, and investment in regional projects for the betterment of citizens, are key. To deliver on this, travel restrictions and unfriendly conditions for regional exchange and partnership must be removed.

We are a hotbed of creative people brought together by common interests and a major shared concern: the wellbeing and sustainability of our communities and our region. We strongly insist that economists, politicians and decision makers take heed of our proposition, which we will be discussing online throughout the duration of the World Economic Forum, so that it permeates through the screens.

Signed by:

Bassem Aggad, Baker al-Hiyari, Roba Assi, Duha Awayes, Raghda Butros, Thoraya El-Rayyes, Ramsey George, Farah Ghniem, Sandra Hiari, Ahmad Humeid, Razan Khatib, Reem Manna’, Yusuf Mansur, Mayse Nababteh, Maher Nammari, Ruba Nazer, Luma Qadoumi, Ibrahim Saif, Sally Shalabi, Naseem Tarawnah, Nadine Toukan, Hazem Zureiqat