Gov’t connecting with expats to ‘preserve national identity ‘

AMMAN — The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates has a strategic plan in place to keep Jordanian expatriates connected to the Kingdom and to preserve the national identity, ministry officials have said.

Speaking at a seminar recently held for expatriate students, the ministry’s adviser, Areej Hawamdeh, highlighted the role Jordanian embassies and consulates around the world, adding that there are Jordanian expatriate communities in 14 countries, including the US and countries in southern Europe and the Arab Gulf. 

“A group of officials toured these countries, meeting with Jordanians to learn about their needs and wants and what the country can provide for them, in addition to upgrading services at embassies and consulates,” Hawamdeh said.  

She added that the aim was to keep connected and to make sure that students return to Jordan, so the Kingdom can benefit from their knowledge and experience. 

The strategic plan to stay connected with expatriates is under way, she said.

“We started last year by inviting the youth who are studying abroad through e-mails and social media to attend a conference,” the official explained. 

The Jordanian Expatriates Conference was held last August, attended by 650 Jordanian expatriates from 62 countries.

Seminars will be held every two years, Hawamdeh said, adding that she hoped attendance would increase as word spreads. 

The two-day workshop was an initiative by the expatriate students, which the ministry encouraged, according to officials.

Sarah Asad, a student in the UK, said the workshop was an “eye-opener” for students to learn about embassies’ services, and to have a connection with Jordan. 

She suggested that the embassies could be more active in bringing Jordanians together throughout the year, and not just during national celebrations.