نيروز الإخبارية :
By Dr. Moh'd Yousef Hassan Bazbaz.
Ambassador of the Queen Rania Al Abdullah Award for Excellence in Education.
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Not every speech delivered on a constitutional occasion should be viewed solely within the context of the event at which it is given. Some speeches transcend the moment, setting out the contours of a new phase, reshaping national priorities, and defining the nature of responsibility in confronting the challenges surrounding the nation. From this perspective, the Speech from the Throne delivered by His Majesty King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein at the opening of the Third Ordinary Session of the Twentieth Parliament on November 2, 2026, stands as a speech of profound national, political, and developmental significance. It offers a comprehensive reading of Jordan's priorities at a particularly delicate regional juncture.
The deeper significance of the Royal Speech lies not merely in the range of issues it addresses, but in the way these issues are brought together within a unified vision: one grounded in the understanding that a state's strength is measured not only by its ability to confront threats, but also by its capacity to preserve social cohesion, safeguard the dignity of its citizens, strengthen its institutions, and transform available resources into opportunities that positively shape people's lives and their future.
His Majesty opened his speech against the backdrop of an exceptional national circumstance, following the terrorist attack that targeted Jordan and claimed the lives of martyrs from among its people. His Majesty's message was unequivocal: Jordan's security and national unity are neither negotiable nor subject to compromise. The reference to the martyrs of Karak was not simply an acknowledgment of a painful security incident; it was a reaffirmation that safeguarding the homeland is a collective national responsibility, and that the sacrifices of its martyrs place before everyone a continuing duty to protect the state and preserve the cohesion of its society.
Herein lies one of the most important messages of the Royal Speech. Confronting terrorism is not limited to security measures, important as they are; it also extends to building awareness, strengthening national belonging, and protecting the social fabric against attempts to undermine and fragment it. Nations are not protected by weapons alone. They are also protected by societies that understand the value of unity, institutions that enjoy public trust, and citizens who recognize that differences must never turn into hostility, and that diversity does not diminish the unity of national identity. His Majesty's emphasis that Jordan's strength lies in its people, who become more united, perceptive, and wise whenever challenges intensify, goes beyond describing the Jordanian experience. It identifies one of the state's greatest sources of resilience and continuity: the awareness of Jordanian citizens and their ability to distinguish between legitimate differences and attempts to sow division.
On Arab and regional affairs, the Royal Speech reaffirmed the enduring principles of Jordanian foreign policy, foremost among them its commitment to Arab identity, its support for the causes of the Arab nation, and its steadfast defense of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people. Regional security and stability, the speech affirmed, cannot be achieved without addressing the root causes of conflict, foremost among them ending the suffering of the Palestinian people and enabling them to exercise their legitimate rights on their land. The significance of this position becomes particularly evident at a time when political calculations are shifting and interests are increasingly intertwined. Jordan continues to define its position on the basis of historical convictions and its Arab and humanitarian responsibilities, rather than temporary considerations. Adherence to principles does not mean turning away from change, just as understanding regional transformations does not mean abandoning fundamental commitments. Between these two approaches lies the essence of responsible foreign policy: the ability to engage with reality thoughtfully and flexibly without compromising rights or retreating from positions that form an integral part of the state's identity and mission.
Among the notable themes of the speech was His Majesty's focus on the responsibilities of constitutional institutions, particularly the role expected of the Parliament in legislation, oversight, and representing the interests of Jordanians. Parliament, according to this vision, is not merely a forum for discussion or a body that approves legislation. It is a national institution whose effectiveness is measured by its ability to represent society's aspirations, monitor government performance, and place the public interest above narrow considerations.
In this context, His Majesty's observation that differences of opinion constitute a source of strength, as long as Jordan's interests remain the ultimate objective, carries particular significance. It establishes a mature understanding of public life, based on the recognition that pluralism is not a threat to stability and that responsible debate does not weaken institutions; rather, it enhances their ability to make more balanced and effective decisions. His Majesty's emphasis that Jordanians judge Parliament not only by the laws it passes, but also by the conduct and discourse it demonstrates, establishes an important benchmark for public performance. Institutions earn society's respect not solely through their legal powers, but through the responsibility, integrity, and seriousness with which they exercise those powers.
One of the clearest messages in the Royal Speech was His Majesty's emphasis that the interests of Jordanian citizens must be at the heart of every decision, not at its margins. From an administrative and developmental perspective, this statement captures the essence of the relationship between the state and its citizens. The success of public policies should not be measured by the number of announced plans or the volume of programmes and projects on paper, but by the tangible impact they have on people's lives, the employment opportunities they create, improvements in living standards, the quality of education and healthcare, and the confidence they provide in the future of coming generations.
This places a significant responsibility on the government and state institutions to move beyond procedural achievements towards delivering measurable and tangible results. Citizens do not simply expect to hear about development; they expect to experience its outcomes. Nor are indicators meaningful in isolation from their impact on everyday life. The essence of modern public administration is to make services accessible to citizens, ensure that decisions can be measured and evaluated, translate plans into results, and keep human dignity and people's needs at the centre of every level of decision-making.
When His Majesty addressed the path of economic modernisation and major national projects, and then explicitly highlighted water security, the speech drew attention to a fundamental truth: sustainable development cannot be achieved without an economy capable of generating opportunities, resources managed efficiently, and planning that anticipates challenges rather than merely responding to their consequences.
Economic modernisation is not simply an administrative slogan or a collection of separate projects. It is an integrated national process that requires accelerating implementation, encouraging investment, expanding employment opportunities, increasing productivity, and linking economic growth to improvements in citizens' lives. Water security, meanwhile, was presented as a national priority directly connected to human, social, and economic security. Water is not merely a routine service issue; it is a strategic resource linked to the sustainability of life, the stability of communities, and the ability of future generations to meet their needs. Accordingly, responsibility extends beyond implementing water projects to include protecting resources, promoting responsible consumption, improving management, investing in sustainable solutions, and adopting proactive plans that place the rights of future generations at the heart of national priorities.
Perhaps one of the speech's most consequential messages for the daily performance of institutions was His Majesty's affirmation that public office is not an honour that elevates its holder above work or service to people, and that no one is immune from accountability for abusing their position, regardless of their rank or authority. This message restores public service to its true meaning. A position in public office is neither a personal privilege nor a means of acquiring influence; it is a trust whose value is measured by the work its holder delivers, the responsibility they assume, and the impact they make in serving citizens.
His Majesty's emphasis on the rule of law, and on the principle that the law recognizes no name, position, or influence, reinforces equality before the law and confirms that the authority of the state is closely linked to the fairness of its application and the ability of institutions to hold those who fail in their duties accountable, without exception. This message extends beyond public administration to a broader institutional culture that must take root across all workplaces: a culture in which achievement is the basis for recognition, integrity is the standard of performance, and serving citizens is the very essence of responsibility.
From my position in the educational field, I believe it is essential to reflect on the place of education in the Royal Speech, not merely as a service sector mentioned among a range of national priorities, but as one of the fundamental determinants of the state's future and its ability to navigate change. When His Majesty links genuine development to what citizens experience in education and in the future of their children, he places before the educational system a responsibility that goes beyond delivering knowledge to preparing individuals who can think critically, create, produce, and actively contribute to building their country.
Education today is no longer simply a process of transferring information or completing academic requirements. It has become a comprehensive process of developing capabilities, shaping awareness, nurturing skills, instilling values, and preparing generations to engage with a rapidly changing world. This requires us to view the school as an institution that shapes the future, rather than merely a place where lessons are delivered; the teacher as an essential partner in national development, rather than simply an implementer of educational content; and the student as a national asset whose potential must be discovered, nurtured, and empowered.
Developing education also requires aligning knowledge with practical skills, strengthening critical thinking and innovation, advancing digital transformation, expanding vocational and technical education, and linking learning outcomes to the needs of society and the economy, while preserving national identity and authentic values.
Translating this vision into reality therefore requires an integrated institutional effort, beginning with the development of policies and curricula, extending to empowering teachers, improving school environments, strengthening educational leadership, and expanding partnerships with families and communities. Ultimately, the goal is to build an educational system that measures its success by the transformation it brings about in learners' personalities, capabilities, and future opportunities.
A state that invests in the education of its children is investing in its economic and social security, its competitiveness, and the sustainability of its institutions. A person equipped with knowledge, skills, and awareness is a renewable source of national wealth.
Another dimension of the Royal Speech that deserves equal attention is the responsibility borne by public discourse, the media, and the various platforms that contribute to shaping society's awareness. At a time when information travels at unprecedented speed, news increasingly overlaps with rumours, and opinions circulate across social media platforms without adequate professional standards in many instances, words themselves become a national and ethical responsibility.
This does not mean restricting opinions or denying citizens their right to freedom of expression. Rather, it means fostering a media environment that respects the truth, verifies information, avoids sensationalism and misinformation, and allows differences of opinion to be expressed naturally without insult or incitement.
Responsible media does more than report events. It helps explain them within their proper context, raises public awareness, and protects society from being misled by false or misleading information. Educational and media institutions also have complementary roles in preparing a generation capable of distinguishing facts from misinformation, verifying information, engaging in dialogue, and respecting differing opinions.
Words can serve as bridges to understanding, but when stripped of responsibility, they can become instruments that undermine trust and fuel division. Protecting national unity is therefore a shared responsibility that begins with individual awareness and extends to families, schools, institutions, and the media.
A thoughtful reading of the Royal Speech reveals that the issues it addresses are not isolated files, but interconnected elements in the equation of state-building: security that protects stability, national unity that safeguards society, a foreign policy that preserves fundamental principles, constitutional institutions that fulfil their responsibilities, an economy that expands opportunities, water security that protects the sustainability of life, the rule of law that safeguards justice, and education that builds people.
Yet the true significance of any national vision cannot be fulfilled through the clarity of its objectives alone. The most important phase begins after priorities are announced, when directives are translated into specific programmes, programmes into practical measures, and measures into measurable results for which the relevant authorities can be held accountable.
Herein lie the responsibilities of the government in defining implementation priorities; of institutions in translating national directions into practical plans; of Parliament in fulfilling its legislative and oversight roles; of administrative leaders in making a genuine difference within their areas of responsibility; and of citizens in participating consciously and positively in national life.
No institution can achieve its objectives if it becomes disconnected from society's needs. No plan can succeed if it remains confined to reports, and no reform can produce a lasting impact without clearly defined responsibilities, continuous monitoring of implementation, evaluation of results, and the willingness to correct the course whenever necessary.
Ultimately, the Royal Speech cannot be reduced to its political, security, or economic messages alone. Its broader meaning lies in the understanding that nation-building is an ongoing process requiring effective institutions, a cohesive society, responsible administration, and citizens who are aware of their roles, rights, and duties.
The speech has presented Jordanians with a clear picture of the priorities that should guide national action during this phase, reaffirming that Jordan's strength is not merely a slogan to be repeated, but an integrated system of trust, awareness, belonging, the rule of law, hard work, and achievement.
Accordingly, honouring the messages of the Royal Speech does not mean simply repeating its words or expressing admiration for its contents. It means transforming every position of responsibility into an opportunity for action, every institution into a partner in achievement, and every citizen into an active contributor to protecting the homeland and advancing its progress.
Nations are not built through speeches alone, however significant those speeches may be. They are built through the sincere work that follows, responsible decisions, institutions that deliver, and leaders who understand that responsibility is not a position to be occupied, but an impact to be made.
Jordan, under its Hashemite leadership, with its national institutions and the awareness of its people, remains greater than the challenges it faces. For nations that understand their priorities, remain steadfast in their principles, and invest in their people possess the ability to move forward with confidence and determination, shaping a future worthy of their citizens and their history.
