Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - On the occasion of HRH Princess Basma’s birthday on May 11, the winners of the 2015 Princess Basma Award for Human Development and Community Service have been announced.

This year’s recipients include young people who have overcome personal difficulties and made creative use of their experiences to influence their peers in effecting positive change, according to a statement from Princess Basma’s office.

The award, which was launched in 2011 by the Jordanian Hashemite Fund for Human Development (JOHUD), aims at encouraging citizens to participate actively in developing their community and country. The annual prize reflects the principles embodied by Princess Basma’s development work, which places people at the centre of the development process and encourages them to play a role in defining and pursuing their own needs.

Since JOHUD was established in 1977, Princess Basma’s commitment to sustainable human development initiatives has contributed to the field of development in Jordan.

With its focus on the Kingdom’s evolving development needs, JOHUD implements national-level projects to promote economic sustainability and self-reliance, the statement said.

The organisation is dedicated in large part to helping local communities address such issues as unemployment, poverty, women’s rights, youth empowerment and enhanced participation.

JOHUD is a pioneer in the Kingdom, owing to its long history and widespread community outreach. To date, the organisation has set up 51 community centres throughout the country to work in partnership with local groups, and women and youth committees.

The princess’s vision for the Goodwill Campaign grew out of this experience in the field. Established in 1991, the campaign is one of most active philanthropic initiatives in the country, touching the lives of thousands of individuals, families and communities, the statement added.

The Goodwill Campaign works in partnership with a number of sectors, including banking, medicine, business, industry and professional associations, along with private and government educational institutions, civil society organisations and NGOs, as well as dedicated individuals.

From their involvement in field visits, participants realise that the need for assistance is greater than ever.

To that end, the Goodwill Campaign provides food and emergency aid, medical assistance, university scholarships, and housing rehabilitation, alongside capacity building and training to improve living standards.

The campaign not only works to empower the underprivileged to live in dignity and self-sufficiency, but also promotes the spirit of helping others.

Princess Basma is also recognised for her contribution to the women’s movement.

Since 1992, the Jordanian National Commission for Women (JNCW), headed by the princess, has been fulfilling its mandate as approved by a Cabinet decision to serve as a national mechanism and reference body for all government institutions.

JNCW promotes gender mainstreaming in national planning processes and intervenes in legislation and policy making to narrow the gender gap.

In September 2014, Princess Basma became honorary president of the Coalition of Women MPs from Arab Countries for Combating Violence Against Women. The coalition, which is made up of MPs from 22 countries in the region, works to reform and enact gender specific legislation to end violence.

At the international level, Princess Basma is honorary human development ambassador for UNDP, goodwill ambassador for UN Women as well as UNFPA, and special envoy for the International Organisation for Migration.

The princess holds a doctorate degree in development from Oxford University.

She is married to Walid Kurdi, and has four children, Farah, Ghazi, Saad and Zein Al Sharaf, and five grandchildren, Fatima Al Zahra, Zein Al Sharaf, Abdulaziz, Aysha and Iman.