Speech in June 2009
Mr. Tetsuo Shioguchi, Ambassador of Japan, delivered a speech
at a ceremony held to mark the completion of the Activity Center which was
constructed as part of the Project of Women’s Empowerment at
Al Jawasreh,
on 25 June 2009.
Ambassador's Speech
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 for me to attend the ceremony to mark completion for the activity center which was constructed as part of ‘the Project of Women’s Empowerment in South Shonah’.
Firstly, I would like to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation to Ms. Tofa Hijazi, the President of Al Jawasreh, all the members of the Al Jawasreh and all the staff in relevant authorities for your great efforts towards the success of this project.
I am so glad to make sure the completion of this center because I attended the ground-breaking ceremony and laid a cornerstone with H.E. Ms. Hala Lattouf, Minister of Social Development.
The Japanese Government has supported this project which is being implemented by Al Jawasreh, a local NGO in cooperation with a Japanese NGO, Nippon International Cooperation for Community Development (NICCOD) since last October.
I hope that 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 is 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.
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. This is a reason why we decided to provide assistance to this project. Japan has donated more than 100 projects to NGOs, schools, hospitals, and local governments in Jordan for the last 15 years.
His Majesty King Abdullah Ⅱ Ibn Al Hussein concluded a successful visit to Japan in April with a view to enhancing bilateral relationship. We can say this activity center is one of the fruit of His Majesty’s visiting. In this context, I would like to reiterate the critical importance of this year that marks the 10th anniversary of His Majesty King Abdullah Ⅱascension to the throne, the 20th anniversary of the enthronement of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan, the 50th anniversary of the marriage of Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan, and the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Jordan.
In closing, we truly hope this Activity Center will create employment for women and promote the development of industry. And I wish the Center will be memorized by our Jordanian friends as a token of the friendship and goodwill between the people of Japan and Jordan.
Thank you.