This policy brief focuses on human capital and how it affects political and civic participation in Jordan among youth, women, and other sectors of society, as well as notions of active citizenship. 

It also explores the connections between a holistic approach to development - that focuses on human well-being and needs and thus ensures social protection for people and their environments - and political and civic participation. The paper contextualizes and analyzes the challenges and opportunities of human capital in Jordan, as a main factor for an active and well-informed involvement of all citizens.

The brief is an output of the Youth Civic and Political Participation Policy Labs, conducted by the Arab Renaissance and Democracy (ARDD) in partnership with the Center for Strategic Studies at the University of Jordan, as part of the New Generation Program. It highlights the second session of the lab titled Investing in Human Capital to Strengthen Youth Civic and Political Participation, and what twenty political science and law students from the University of Jordan discussed in this regard. Following the labs´ work methodology, the session hosted expert economist Dr. Raad Al-Tall, Head of the Department of Business Economics at the University of Jordan. It was moderated by human rights expert Dr. Riyad Sobh.

Policy Labs are part of ARDD’s research methodology, providing a dedicated space for discussing and researching public policy issues to enhance youth capacities and equip them with the necessary skills to engage in public policy-making processes. The labs also facilitate exchanging opinions with experts and researchers specialized in relevant topics, based on background papers prepared to address these issues.