Queen Rania Meets with "Mark a Diference" Volunteers to Promote "My World" Survey

(Office of Her Majesty- Press Department- Amman) As a member of U.N. Secretary General's High-level Panel (HLP) formed to advise on the global development agenda beyond 2015, Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah met today with the "Mark a Difference" youth volunteers from the campaign launched by the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO) to promote the “My World” survey in Jordan.

"My World" is a global survey that aims to allow people across the world to relay to the United Nations, and in particular the Secretary General's (HLP), the issues they deem as most important and would like the post- 2015 agenda to address.

Since May 2013, Jordan has collected more than 40,000 votes for this survey making it the first country in the region and the eighth worldwide to collect this number of votes. Results of the survey will be announced in 2014.

In the meeting, Queen Rania asserted the important role youth in Jordan played in promoting the survey across the kingdom, thus contributing in identifying priorities and challenges that will help shape the post- 2015 agenda.

The “Mark A Difference” campaign, which was launched in May 2013 under the leadership of the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office, includes a team of 200 volunteers from different governorates. Recruited through a call on Facebook, the participating youth were comprised of university students and volunteers at different organizations including Irbid Youth Volunteers, Family Kitchen, and X Feer.

The campaign also works with other 300 volunteers recruited from organizations such as the King Abdullah Fund for Development, Princess Basma Center for Development, the Jordan River Foundation, the Family Kitchen and the King Hussein Foundation.

In recognition for their efforts and commitment to reaching out to their communities, the “Mark A Difference” volunteers and (RCO) were awarded the ‘My World outreach award for the Arab States region’ which was granted to them by the Millennium Campaign last September. Since June 2013, the volunteers proved a great sense of ownership and willingness to bring a concrete “change” to the country.

After speaking with the youth, Queen Rania explained how organizing this survey helps collect feedback from all strata in the society. Her Majesty added that it is crucial to publish the results of the survey so far so that they may benefit decision makers and stakeholders. To date, according to the survey, the top development priorities in Jordan are finding job opportunities as well as education.

The Queen also added that the participation of youth in promoting the survey is a valuable experience, allowing them to get to know, firsthand, the priorities of their country and find ways that can help in overcoming the challenges of the development agenda.

Youth volunteers had the chance to tell the Queen about their different experiences from working in the field. They added that people in Jordan that they encountered showed great interest in participating in the survey and were delighted to voice their opinions and share their thoughts on the national development priorities.

Attendees also watched a short video that featured the efforts and work done by the “Mark a Difference” volunteers. Ms. Nora Isayan, Communications Officer at the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office, and Mr. Alberto Natta, Post- 2015 Coordinator, also attended the meeting.