Jordan

(Jordan Times - Amman) Her Majesty Queen Rania stressed the need to upgrade medical services for citizens in the southern districts of Shobak and Petra.

During a surprise visit to the areas’ medical and tourism facilities, the Queen met with patients at the Queen Rania Hospital in the town of Wadi Petra, Petra.

While touring the hospital’s different wards, including the surgical, pediatric and outpatient clinics, the Queen spoke to several patients about the services offered at the institution and their general living conditions.

(Jordan Times - Amman) Her Majesty Queen Rania launched a report by the National Council for Family Affairs (NCFA), which included recommendations on ways to prevent domestic violence and improve health conditions in the country.
 
The report, developed in response to the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) call at the launch of the Global Health and Violence Report in 2002, focuses on the international framework for combating violence and its correlation with health.
 

(Office of Her Majesty, Press Department – Dead Sea) As globalization continues to bring our world closer together, dealing with different cultures is becoming increasingly important. Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah joined Harvard professor Daniel Shapiro for a frank discussion about the imminent need for communication and understanding across cultures. In defining multiculturalism, Her Majesty said "the word is self explanatory… it means having cultures living alongside each other, which is what describes our world today, but it does not mean it is being done well or actively….

(Office of Her Majesty—Amman) In order for a country to advance at its fullest potential, its human resources must be developed and nurtured. Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah has often noted that can only be the case when the entire population, including women, are encouraged to join the workforce.

On that note, Her Majesty met 32 women judges in Amman, just days after celebrating International Women's Day, to encourage their contribution to the field of law, and to promote women's participation in the workforce.

(Office of Her Majesty, Press Department - Amman) Her Majesty Queen Rania Al-Abdullah received representatives from the Emirates World Heart Organization "Zayed Charity Mission" who are currently in Jordan to conduct 30 free open heart surgeries to the underprivileged.

Members of the UAE medical team, presented Queen Rania with a Commemorative Shield for her role, support and contribution to humanitarian causes.

The mission, composed of 16 doctors from the UAE, Canada, the US, South Africa, Holland, Egypt and France is hosted by the Jordanian Ministry of Health.

(Office of Her Majesty, Press Department - Amman) Her Majesty Queen Rania Al-Abdullah hosted the first joint annual meeting for the Advisory Council and board of directors of World Links Arab Region (WLAR) – a program which aims to improve educational outcomes, economic opportunities and mutual global understanding for youth in developing countries through the use of technology and the Internet.

(Jordan Times, Press Department - Amman) Her Majesty Queen Rania on Tuesday inaugurated the Hashemite University social work centre, highlighting its role in providing the country with trained and efficient social workers.

(Jordan Times - Amman) Her Majesty Queen Rania called for expanding the Jordan Applied University (JAU) College of Hospitality and Tourism Education to meet the growing demand for workers in this key sector.

During a visit to JAU, previously known as the Ammon College, Queen Rania stressed the need to expand the institution and upgrade its facilities to increase the number of its graduates and boost their potential.

(Office of Her Majesty, Press Department - Amman) As students headed back to school for the start of the 2004/2005 scholastic year, Her Majesty Queen Rania Al-Abdullah  attended the launching ceremony of the National Kindergarten Curriculum which was formulated stemming from the necessity to address the needs and characteristics of child education during the crucial formative early childhood period.

(The Times - London)

From Queen Rania of Jordan

Sir, As a mother, I was extremely heartened and touched to read Prime Minister Tony Blair’s statement of his readiness to do everything he can to help with the case of Ali Ismail Abbas (report, April 15).

Ali has become the face of Iraq’s human suffering — the face of the war — painfully witnessed in some cases in gruesome detail by so many around the world.