Jordan’s First International Agricultural Forum APN participated in the first Jordan International Agricultural Forum organized by the Ministry of Agriculture on the 25th-26th of April 2018 with the presence of delegations representing more than 60 countries and organizations.
During the forum which took place at the Hussein Bin Talal Convention Centre at the Dead Sea, Razan Zuayter called on Jordan and Arab countries to work primarily to bring an immediate end to wars in the region, and enhance regional integration. Two steps without which, no food security or progress in the agricultural sector will be achieved.
Zuayter also stressed on the importance of supporting small farmers’ access to productive resources such as land, seeds and water, as well as technology. She put an emphasis on farmers in the Jordan Valley that are facing threats of losing farmland to large scale companies.
The Advisory Group of the Committee on World Food Security Assembles in Roma APN Manager Mariam Al Jaajaa participated in the meetings of the Advisory Group of the Committee on World Food Security (CFS) on 18-24 January 2018 on behalf of the Global Civil Society Mechanism. The meeting, which took place in Rome, focused on the findings of the CFS assessment.
Al jaajaa advocated for the dissemination and implementation of CFS guidelines at the national and regional levels, otherwise she stressed, there would be no real benefit from the great work of the Committee on the ground.
The Fourth International Forum of Solidarity with Palestine in Beirut APN took part in the Fourth International Forum of Solidarity with Palestine, which was held in Beirut on 12-14 March 2018. APN's Hassan Al Jaajaa intervened to mention that more than 61% of the West Bank is under Israeli control and that Palestinians are allowed to extract only 15% of its ground water. The remainder of which stays under Israeli control. In addition, he pointed out that there is an Israeli company monopolizing the water market, charging Palestinians five times what Zionist settlers are charged.
APN's Razan Zuayter also stressed the importance of efforts exerted by civil society on the international level, to advocate for the rights of the Palestinians and shedding light on Israeli violations of International Humanitarian Law. Zuayter also highlighted the importance of supporting those farmers in Palestine who protect and defend their lands.
The Near East/North Africa Civil Society Consultation in Beirut APN participated in the FAO-led “Regional Consultation of Civil Society Organizations” in Beirut in preparation for the Near East/North Africa Regional Conference, which was held later at the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Rome and attended by the Arab Ministers of Agriculture. APN, through its manager, Mariam Al Jaajaa, emphasized the need to include regional civil society networks in similar consultations, such as the Arab Network for Food Sovereignty as it represents a large segment of organizations and unions operating in the fields of food and agriculture.
Environmental Democracy Conference APN participated in the Environment and Democracy Conference organized by the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation on 15 May 2018.
During discussions, Razan Zuayter stressed the need to involve civil society according to specific criteria that ensures all organizations of concern and experience are consulted.
Arab Renaissance: Renewal of the Civilizational Message Conference Razan Zuayter, co-founder of APN, attended the Arab Renaissance: Renewal of the Civilizational Message” Conference organized by the Arab Renaissance for Democracy and Development on 25-26 April 2018.
Following a presentation focusing on the necessity of employing refugees, Zuayter noted that the priority should be to work actively towards the end of wars and the resulting displacement, without which true Arab renaissance cannot be achieved. Will Jordan regain sovereignty over Bakura and Alghumar? On January 16th 2018 APN participated in a discussion at “Beit Al Makdis” entitled “Will Jordan Regain Al Bakura and Al Ghumar from Israel Next Year?”.
Researcher Shaker Jarrar explained that Israel had historically occupied Jordanian land. Jordan managed to regain some areas or exchange plots of lands across the years, but it has also agreed to leasing Bakura and Alghumar for a period of 25 years with automatic renewal upon consent from both parties. For more information on the agreements that give Israel full ownership and use of Jordanian land, read the following article (in Arabic) Workshop on the Environmental Protection Law and Law of Associations
On 24/01/2018, APN Project Manager Mohammad Qtaishat and Advocacy Officer Zeina Fakhriddin attended a consultative workshop dedicated for local environmental organizations to discuss the 2017 Environmental Protection Law #6 and the 2008 Law of Associations. Second National Conference for Environmental Organizations.
APN was invited to attend the Second National Conference for Environmental Organizations held at the Landmark Hotel on the 22nd of April, 2018. The conference was organized by the Jordan Environmental Union and sponsored by Friedrich Ebert Sitftung. It brought together various environmental organizations as well as environment, agriculture, and energy experts.The conference discussed means to increase the capacity of local organizations in rehabilitation and advocacy efforts, reaching out to media, and fundraising.
APN mentioned the need to build data bases on small farmers, the possibility of the Ministry of Agriculture providing fruit-bearing seedlings, and the importance of building dams to collect water, and the lack of transparency when it comes to environmental impact assessments and the eligibility of organizations conducting them. Community-based Approaches Workshop On 27/1/2018, APN attended a workshop organized by BDS Jordan on “Community-based Approaches” presented by Nisreen Al Haj Ahmad and held at the Hanouna Cultural Group. The workshop discussed mechanisms for launching campaigns and initiatives to boycott Israeli settler colonialism and apartheid.