The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Jordan Economic Forum (JEF) on Saturday launched the "Jordan in Figures” initiative, with the aim of building the capacity of young men and women in Jordan about the importance of using data and numbers to support subjective and well-supported debates and dialogues with sectoral experts and decision-makers.

The first phase of the Initiative consists of a series of trainings on important economic and development topics and the basics of dialogue and debate, according to a UNDP statement.

The second phase will be a series of debates that would serve as a platform that brings together different segments of society: Decision makers, the media, civil society organizations and young men and women and others to discuss major economic and development priorities and challenges in Jordan in the year 2020.

The Initiative aims to enable young men and women to develop their personal skills while focusing on the most important economic and development issues in Jordan. 

This will be conducted in close partnership with "Wasel for Awareness and Education” and will train 40 young men and women on the basics of debate, research and writing skills, analytical thinking, data analysis, in addition to exposing the youth to specialised courses on economic and sustainable developmental issues.

The finalists of the first phase of the Initiative will participate in economic and development youth led debates with the most prominent experts and decision-makers to discuss the 2020 in twenty figures. 

After each debate, the participating youth will publish a paper on their proposals and suggestions regarding the topics covered during the debate sessions. These debates will be broadcast in partnership with a local TV channel.