Within the frame of the New Generation Program, the Women and Youth Unit at the Al-Nahda Strategic Center of the Arab Renaissance for Democracy and Development (ARDD), held the fourth session of the Youth Participation Policy Lab, on Monday, August 5, 2024, to research the perspectives of women, youth, and leadership, explore the characteristics of effective leaders, and understand the role of MPs in achieving a balance with the requirements of society, which was highlighted by the youth participating in the research activities of the program.

This session, titled: "Verification Session on the Perspectives of Women, Youth, and Leadership", concludes the second phase of a series of policy lab sessions, implemented by ARDD, in cooperation with the Center for Strategic Studies at the University of Jordan, to promote the concepts of civic and political participation among students of the faculties of political science and law at the University of Jordan.

The young men and women participating in the session discussed leadership qualities across various sectors (private, public, and civil society), the basic characteristics of effective leadership, societal norms and their impact on the leadership journey of women and youth, the role of MPs in balancing proximity to society while maintaining neutrality and enhancing their oversight role reliably and effectively.

On the different leadership qualities, the participants said that leadership requires a person to have many qualities, which may be similar or different between women and men. However, there are common traits, such as: multitasking, effective decision-making, erudition, communication skills, and enhancing cooperation between team members.

Regarding societal norms and their impact, the participants stressed that youth leaders often face challenges that hinder their full participation in public life, in addition to limiting women's participation in elections through the quota system rather than through competition. The youth also expressed fears about political activism, and the failure of political parties to provide a real program that meets their hopes and aspirations.

On the role played by MPs in achieving balance with the needs of society, the youth stressed the importance of MPs having an important and significant role in decision-making and bringing about societal change, enhancing trust between individuals and state institutions to increase youth participation in political and civil life, as well as working to increase the percentage of seats in the women's quota to ensure women's active participation in society, as well as encouraging youth to join political parties.

In conclusion, the opinions of young people -each according to their point of view- differed on the proposals, comments, and conclusions collected through previous research, but they also stressed the importance of understanding the societal norms and economic conditions surrounding young leaders, and their reflection on their civic and political participation, as a priority and an urgent need for development.