Speech in February 2009
Mr. Tetsuo Shioguchi, Ambassador of Japan, delivered a speech at the signing ceremony of laying the cornerstone for the activity center in the Project of Women's Empowerment in South Shonah on February 8, 2009 at the Al Jawasreh
Her Excellency Ms. Hala Lattouf, Minister of Social Development,
Mr. Mohammad Irfifan Al-Odwan, Director of Al-Shounan
Al-Wasta Municipality,
Ms. Tofa Hijazi, the President of Al Jawasreh,
Members of the Al Jawasreh,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is a great pleasure to attend the ceremony of laying the cornerstone for the activity center which is to be constructed as part of the Project of Women’s Empowerment in South Shonah.
The Japanese Government decided to support this project to be implemented by Al Jawasreh a local NGO in cooperation with a Japanese NGO, Nippon International Cooperation for Community Development (NICCOD) last October. This project aims to create employment for women and activate the local industry through the construction of an activity center. The total cost of this project is Two hundred Eighty Five thousand Three hundred Thirty Five United States Dollars (285,335USD). The Japanese Government extended a Two hundred Twenty Six thousand Seven hundred Ninety two United State Dollars (226,792USD) of grant while the rest was borne by NICCOD.
This activity center will be used for women who are engaged in manufacturing and selling dried vegetables, pickles, bread and handcrafts in South Shonah. The center expected to become the operational basis of Al Jawasreh and contribute toward the creation of more employments for women in the village and the activation of the local economy.
I have heard that Al Jawasreh is a NGO established in 1993 consisted of women in Al Jawasreh Village, Al Shonah Municipality. This organization has been producing and selling handicraft and dried vegetables under the support of NICCOD since 2000.
As for NICCOD, it was established in 1979 to help people to achieve economical and mental self-reliance in developing countries. Since then, it has implemented projects in the fields of education, vocational training, protection of environment, organic farm and assistance of refugee in many countries. It has also been implementing a wide range of projects in various areas of Jordan since it launched a micro credit project in Karak in 1993.
Japan promotes diplomacy with an emphasis on the perspective of human security. Human security is to endeavor to empower people and societies through NGOs and civil society so that people can lead self sufficient lives.
Japan has donated more than 100 projects to NGOs, schools, hospitals, and local governments in Jordan for the last 15 years. This is a reason why we decided to provide assistance to this project.
In closing, I would like to take this opportunity to express my deep appreciation to the staff of the Al Jawasreh and NICCOD for their dedication to serve people who are in need of external support as well as to enhance living standard of people in Jordan.
Thank you.