Jordan hosts one of the largest refugee populations in the world. Against this backdrop, Mohammad Shehabat launched the 100 Global Citizens initiative to facilitate interaction between diverse groups. Mohammad Shehabat described the program's methodology during a recent project update. "The workshops used story circles and other participatory dialogue methods to create opportunities for young people to share their stories, listen to one another, and reflect on different lived experiences," he said. The initiative relies on these structured engagements to encourage communication among participants residing in the country. Organizers intend for these sessions to provide a space where individuals can address personal histories while building connections across different community backgrounds.
The 100 Global Citizens project uses story circles and participatory dialogue methods to facilitate interaction between refugee and Jordanian youth. By implementing these specific techniques, the project organizers aim to create a bridge between these two distinct groups. The workshops are designed to move beyond superficial interactions, encouraging participants to delve into the narratives that have shaped their lives. Through this process, the project seeks to foster a deeper understanding of the challenges and aspirations shared by young people living in the same regions.
UNESCO Support for Youth
100 Global Citizens operates as a grantee of the Youth for Peace: UNESCO Intercultural Leadership Programme. This affiliation provides the project with institutional backing as it implements its core activities across Jordan. As a grantee of the Youth for Peace: UNESCO Intercultural Leadership Programme, the initiative gains access to a broader framework designed to promote intercultural competency and peace-building skills among the youth. This support is instrumental in scaling the project’s reach and ensuring that the methodologies employed remain consistent with international standards for dialogue and youth empowerment.
The 100 Global Citizens project utilizes story circles and participatory dialogue methods to facilitate interaction between refugee and Jordanian youth. These sessions aim to create structured environments where participants engage directly with one another. By sharing personal narratives within these groups, the program seeks to build connections among young people from diverse backgrounds residing in the country. Organizers apply these specific methods to ensure that individuals have a space to reflect on different lived experiences while communicating with peers.
By integrating these participatory dialogue methods, the project encourages a shift in perspective among the attendees. The story circles act as a catalyst for empathy, allowing young people to step outside their own experiences and consider the realities faced by their neighbors. This structured approach is central to the project's mission of creating a more cohesive society. As the program continues its work across Jordan, the focus remains on sustaining these connections, ensuring that the dialogue initiated in the workshops contributes to long-term social stability and mutual respect among the youth population. Through the continued support of the Youth for Peace: UNESCO Intercultural Leadership Programme, Mohammad Shehabat and his team aim to refine these engagement strategies further, reaching more young individuals and strengthening the social fabric of the communities in which they operate.