Jordanian media activists to attend World Youth Congress in Quebec City

MONTREAL – Aug. 15, 2008 – Rights & Democracy is supporting the participation of three Jordanian youth activists from our partner institution, the Princess Basma Youth Resource Center (PBYRC), in the 4th World Youth Congress in Quebec City from August 10 to 21, 2008. The young Jordanians attending the Congress will deliver a workshop on the production of public service announcements (PSAs) between August 17 and 20.

Well known in North America, a public service announcement (PSA) is a non-commercial advertisement broadcast on radio, the Internet or television, intended for the public good.

“It’s refreshing to see youth activists from Jordan giving a workshop on a North American concept, PSAs, here in Quebec City ,” says Sophie Rondeau, Coordinator of Rights & Democracy’s Student Network who is accompanying the Jordanian delegation. “PSAs are intended to modify public attitudes by raising awareness about specific issues. That’s exactly the work we support by encouraging a culture of tolerance and respect for human rights, strengthening civil society participation and supporting marginalized youth.” 

“Even though the three of us who are helping with this project come from different regions of Jordan, the results that were achieved had a great effect on our daily lives,” says Deema Shahin, one of the youth activists from Jordan working in the Media for Development Unit at PBYRC.

Rights & Democracy’s work in Jordan seeks to strengthen civil society by working to improve the laws that govern NGOs. It also aims to strengthen Jordan’s civil society in the long term through the promotion of youth participation in decision-making processes. Rights & Democracy’s work in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) includes projects in Morocco and the Palestinian Territories where over 30% of its population is between the ages of 15 and 29, representing over 100 million youth.

The Princess Basma Youth Resource Centre (PBYRC) works with young people from different backgrounds and from all regions in Jordan. PBYRC’s mission is to promote the active role of youth in society as well as enhance their participation in the development process and in the emerging global society.

The 4th World Youth Congress will bring to Quebec City 600 of the world's most dynamic young activists in the field of sustainable development from 120 different countries. Delegates will help shape international policy by documenting and showing governments what young people are doing to achieve the UN’s Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

For media interviews with Diana, Deema and Othman from Jordan (in Arabic or English) or with Sophie from Rights & Democracy’s student Network (in French or English), please contact Louis Moubarak, External Relations officer at Rights & Democracy at 514-984-0622 (Cell. phone).