The "YOUTH IN ACTION – Arts and Culture in Preventing Violent Extremism" project, implemented by the National Center for Culture and Arts at King Hussein Foundation and funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is an innovative program aimed at increasing the participation of vulnerable youth in public life. This project provides inclusive and enabling environments for youth, particularly young girls, who face numerous social and mobility restrictions. The program emphasizes the need for professional, youth-sensitive social services, and greater opportunities for political participation and civic engagement.
Targeting the regions of Karak, Irbid, and South Amman, the project endeavors to harness the transformative power of the arts to foster democratic behavior and active citizenship among youth. By leveraging the extensive experience and networks of the National Centre for Culture and Arts (NCCA), the project delivers high-quality arts programs including workshops in creative writing, music, vocals, and theatre arts, aimed to raise awareness of the value of arts in promoting democratic behavior, active citizenship, and social cohesion, Increased participation of vulnerable youth in public life by establishing inclusive and enabling youth friendly environments and access to quality cultural and arts activities.
The project aims to develop critical thinking, communication skills, and confidence among youth. It addresses hate speech and promotes an understanding of shared challenges and future aspirations, fostering a community environment rooted in respect and tolerance. This initiative also counters the sparse cultural scenes in Jordan by demonstrating that arts and culture are essential for community vitality and identity, thereby stimulating economic development and revitalizing under-resourced areas.
Creative Writing Workshops conducted for 45 youths across the target regions culminated in the publication of 29 stories and monologues, enhancing participants' analytical skills and innovative perspectives. Drama, Music, and Vocals workshops for 51 participants led to the development of three interactive plays that showcased their newfound artistic expressions and narrative capabilities.
The "Youth in Action" project not only enriches the cultural landscape but also establishes a sustainable model for integrating arts into community development strategies, proving that cultural activities are fundamental to nurturing societal growth and unity.
The project involved training in Creative Writing, Drama, Music, and Vocals in 3 target governorates (Amman, Irbid, and Karak), producing monologues and short stories reflecting the challenges and aspirations of youth, and the production of 3 performances. Due to amendments in the budget and upon obtaining approval of the RNE, 51 young youth instead or 57 were selected to participate in the drama, music and vocals workshops.
Creative Writing Workshop:
Conducted for 45 youths from the three target governorates, each participant received 24 hours of training during the project implementation period.
Participants wrote 29 stories and monologues that were published in a booklet titled "Stories and Monologues from Our Lives." These writings helped empower the youth in various creative disciplines, enhancing their analytical thinking, and providing them a better understanding of characters, environments, and situations.
The short stories and monologues were further adapted into three theatre scripts, which were performed in each target area to engage local communities and stakeholders.
Drama, Music, and Vocals Workshop:
51 participants received training in drama, music, and vocals, leading to the development of three theatre plays that included original music compositions and songs.
These workshops equipped participants with the skills to establish a distinctive voice and a clear sense of purpose, offering them a platform to provide insightful reflections on their chosen subject matter and render vivid scenes complete with dialogue.
