Foresight for the Future: Jordan
In summary, amid the chaos and conflicts of the Eastern Mediterranean, there are opportunities. We are a stable nation with confidence in our leadership, people, and institutions. While politicians manage current events, our duty as intellectuals, scholars, and thinkers is to chart visions and dreams for the growth and development of Jordan.
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Ammon
5 days ago
- Ammon
Foresight for the Future: Jordan
Prof. Dr. Haytham Eloqayli Jordan is a country that has remained stable despite many storms, and therefore, it is logical to assume that this stability will persist. The leadership is wise, the institutions are solid, and the people consistently show awareness and loyalty whenever the nation is under threat. This compels us to envision the future we aspire to and strive to achieve, taking into consideration that technological advancement is the cornerstone of development and progress. Hence, I will present my vision across various sectors:1. Health:Jordan is in an excellent position, yet there is room for improvement. In my opinion, a public health insurance company should be established to organize the privatization of healthcare management—not hospitals—thus enhancing efficiency. Hospital funding should be linked to service quality and the integration of technology. An example is the Emirati company Daman, which manages healthcare service financing through a fast and effective pre-approval system for medical services and surgeries. This approach ensures effective resource allocation and additional oversight without compromising the quality of care for citizens. Additionally, integrating AI into healthcare administration reduces human error and offers predictive tools for improving services through periodic data reviews.2. Culture:Positive governmental decisions often lose their impact due to the absence of a coherent governmental narrative that communicates them to society. This leaves a void filled by groups aiming to undermine public trust in state institutions, ultimately damaging the public mood due to a lack of effective communication. What's needed is both direct and indirect parallel media to raise public awareness of the state's achievements—not just addressing elites in an elevated tone, but incorporating the social dimensions of each decision to build social support, strengthen internal unity, and allow citizens to feel like partners.3. Youth:Empowering youth is often reduced to placing them in leadership positions, but in reality, we need structured programs to prepare them for emerging markets in the Gulf and Europe. I outlined mechanisms for this in a previous article. Moreover, youth have a critical need that may even surpass unemployment: they need a reliable reference point to resolve their daily challenges, which—though they may seem simple to us—are deeply important to them, and their solutions are often straightforward if given proper attention.4. Social Engagement:I am still convinced of the need for a Ministry of State for Social Communication to serve as a bridge between the government and society, filling the current void that has been overtaken by groups distorting public awareness and the official narrative. This ministry would be tasked with engaging youth through parallel media, receiving their feedback on procedural challenges, and directly communicating with community leaders in the provinces, tribal areas, and refugee camps. The goal is to explain government decisions and the reasoning behind them while gathering grassroots feedback.5. Free Cities:The region now needs advanced medical centers, financial hubs, and resorts to relieve pressure and stress. These must be free from social constraints and operate with lower taxes to attract investment. This cannot be achieved without establishing free cities where the government builds infrastructure and leases or sells plots to domestic and international private investors for the development of resorts, hospitals, universities, schools, and financial centers. In summary, amid the chaos and conflicts of the Eastern Mediterranean, there are opportunities. We are a stable nation with confidence in our leadership, people, and institutions. While politicians manage current events, our duty as intellectuals, scholars, and thinkers is to chart visions and dreams for the growth and development of Jordan.
Al Bawaba
22-07-2025
- Al Bawaba
Building a Smart Diet Plan for Weight Loss: A Practical Guide
Healthy weight loss is never about quick fixes — it's about sustainable choices that fit your lifestyle, culture, and environment. In the United Arab Emirates, where the fast-paced city life often meets indulgent dining habits and hot weather, forming a balanced and realistic meal plan becomes both a challenge and an opportunity. Whether you're a busy professional in Dubai, a family juggling different food preferences, or an expat adjusting to local cuisine, knowing how to plan your diet can make all the difference. From traditional Emirati dishes to international superfoods, you can design a meal plan that helps you shed excess weight without feeling deprived. For those looking for a tailored approach, weight loss meal plans Dubai can offer professional guidance to keep you on the Basics: What a Weight Loss Diet Really MeansBefore jumping into food lists and calorie counting, it's crucial to understand what a weight loss diet should achieve. The key is to create a gentle calorie deficit — meaning you consume fewer calories than you burn — while still providing your body with enough nutrients to stay energized, hydrated, and satisfied. Especially in the UAE, where temperatures often soar, hydration plays a vital role in keeping your metabolism working properly. It's equally important to respect cultural food preferences and practical availability. Choosing the right balance of proteins, carbohydrates, and healthy fats, plus plenty of fiber, will help you avoid drastic hunger pangs and stay committed to your Meal Plan: Structuring Your Day To make the planning process more concrete, here's an example of how a balanced day could look for someone aiming to lose weight while living in the UAE's climate and lifestyle: Meal Foods Included Notes Breakfast Greek yogurt with berries and chia seeds High in protein and fiber to keep you full longer Mid-Morning Snack Handful of raw nuts or an apple Healthy fats or fiber to curb cravings Lunch Grilled chicken salad with mixed greens and olive oil Lean protein and healthy fats, plus hydration from veggies Afternoon Snack Hummus with carrot sticks or whole-grain crackers Adds fiber and keeps energy steady Dinner Baked fish with quinoa and steamed vegetables Balanced and light for an easy-to-digest evening meal Hydration At least 2 liters of water throughout the day Adjust intake if you spend time outdoors in the heat This table shows a practical, balanced structure that's easy to adapt to local food preferences. It demonstrates how you can stay nourished and satisfied without overloading on Healthier Tomorrow Starts Today Forming an effective weight loss diet is not about perfection — it's about progress. By understanding the basics, making mindful food choices, and adjusting for the UAE's unique climate and culture, you're setting yourself up for success. With the right mindset and a plan tailored to your daily life, achieving and maintaining a healthy weight can become your new normal — and your best investment in a happier, healthier you. © 2000 - 2025 Al Bawaba (
Ammon
14-07-2025
- Ammon
The Social Dimension in National Policies
I often find myself in conversations with some officials, and to be fair, I see that many of their ideas have real value and carry a positive national impact. However, I also notice a common shortcoming: the absence of a social dimension. By this, I mean a lack of consideration for cultural influences and societal pressures, as well as the failure to build a compelling narrative or engage in social communication and marketing that could generate public support and momentum behind these otherwise positive policies and initiatives. Over the past fifteen years, we have seen successive governments and political leaderships compelled to appease public sentiment—even at the expense of distinctive and high-quality projects or policies. In my view, this is not entirely negative. Given the region's instability, fostering national unity and social cohesion is a strategic necessity in the face of looming external threats and agendas. This experience teaches us a crucial lesson: the social dimension in policymaking in our region is inevitable. Any ideas, policies, or decisions that fail to take this into account will inevitably face populist demands—often unsustainable—and an escalation of public expectations during times of crisis. This in turn leads to the abandonment or weakening of many promising initiatives that could have thrived in a more stable or Western environment, where external threats are not constantly pressing against the nation's borders. As I have stated in previous articles, I remain convinced that a trust gap persists between the public on one hand, and institutions and decision-makers on the other. This gap is continually fueled by ideological currents and foreign-directed media. It is, therefore, the responsibility of governments and officials to bridge this divide. Nature abhors a vacuum, and during crises, public sentiment and social perception can force policymakers into decisions that may undermine long-term excellence and strategic planning. To mitigate this, there must be both direct and indirect communication mechanisms to explain the narratives, rationale, and benefits behind policies and decisions—so that citizens feel included in the process. Another key point: There is often a disconnect between what citizens want and what many policies actually provide. In a region governed by history, emotion, and crisis, public satisfaction cannot be ignored. Many policies take years to yield tangible results, while the public often judges based on short-term impact. In the gap between short-term needs and long-term benefits, opposing movements seize the opportunity to distort official narratives and fuel public frustration and mistrust toward governments and officials. I continue to advocate for the establishment of a Ministry of State for Social Communication, whose mandate would be to build narratives for each policy and promote them socially—particularly among the youth through alternative media, and among the wider public through structured engagements with community and academic leaders. Such a body would also provide decision-makers with data-driven insights to help increase public satisfaction with various policies and proposals. One illustrative example of the importance of the social dimension is healthcare spending in Jordan. While spending levels are objectively excellent, they do not translate into the expected levels of public satisfaction. As I argued in a previous article, this is because there is a mismatch between what citizens need and want, and what officials perceive as important. The public judges healthcare quality based on their experiences in high-contact, urgent care settings—like cardiac emergencies, trauma, and pediatric ERs. Meanwhile, policymakers often base health strategies on Western or Gulf models, focusing on areas considered 'cold' cases in medical terms, such as outpatient clinics, prescription services, and digital medical records. While these reforms are valuable for long-term improvement, they fail to resonate emotionally with citizens who struggle to find immediate help for urgent conditions like heart attacks or neurosurgical emergencies. As a result, such reforms may improve systemic quality, but they lack the social momentum and public endorsement needed to sustain them. This is not intended as criticism. I believe bold, quality-driven policies are vital and impactful. However, having studied cultural, social, and economic transitions for years, I am increasingly convinced of the crucial role of narratives and communication in bridging the gap between decision-makers and the public. Without this, society remains vulnerable to external forces that seek to distort national narratives, exploit daily hardships, and widen the trust gap between citizens and institutions.
