Jordan’s Media Leaders Endorse Abt’s National Population Media Strategy
Jordan’s population is in position to reach its “demographic dividend.” The demographic dividend is the economic growth potential that can result from shifts in a population’s age structure, typically when the share of the working-age population (15 to 64) is larger than that of the non-working-age population (14 and younger and 65 and older). To maximize this growing potential workforce, Jordan has developed a national population policy, and using communication and engaging the media are key to achieving the policy’s objectives. The Abt-led USAID Jordan Communication, Advocacy, and Policy (JCAP) Activity collaborated with the Higher Population Council (HPC) and the Jordan Media Institute (JMI) to develop a five-year roadmap outlining the role of media in addressing population issues in Jordan. The activity’s overall strategic objective is to increase the use and continuation of reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health services—including nutrition—to ensure a healthy family, build a sustainable community and maintain a secure Jordan.
On May 13, 2018, JCAP, HPC and JMI launched the National Media Strategy under the patronage of His Excellency the Minister of State for Media Affairs. This strategy is the first national strategy in Jordan to address population media.
At the strategy launch ceremony, the Secretary General of the HPC addressed the audience, explaining that the strategy is intended to keep pace with continuous developments in media, population issues and the social context in Jordan. The Secretary General added that the strategy provides a five-year roadmap for the role of media in addressing population issues.
Also at the ceremony, the JMI Dean highlighted the importance of developing media professionals who specialize in demographic issues and will raise people’s awareness of the negative impact of high population growth on Jordan’s resources.
