The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by all United Nations (UN) Member States in 2015 aim at providing a blueprint for the development of people and the planet, now and into the future. The SDGs and the concept of smart cities are highly interlinked, especially under Goal 11: “Sustainable cities and communities”, aiming to make cities more inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustain...
To strengthen and localise supply chains in Jordan, we conducted a study to assess the main needs and challenges of Jordanian MSMEs. We assessed nine different industrial sectors in Jordan using a combination of primary and secondary...
Tourism can contribute to sustainable development in a number of ways. Not only does it sustain resources, heritage, and livelihoods, but rather improve them as well. When planned, developed, and managed appropriately...
In most countries, the consensus that women do not belong in certain ‘masculine’ sectors persists to this day. Sadly, many women in male-dominated fields are as a result sidelined and often left out of opportunities and dialogue...
While stellar advancements in science and technology have remarkably improved our connectivity, they have also disconnected people – from the environment, each other, and their own selves...
Many developing countries are marked by substantial unbanked populations with no access to a formal financial system. While some refuse to be banked on their own accord, others are simply excluded against their will...
Ala’ Wrikat, 29, has always been a solemn believer in the power of youth to drive development and progress. To him, young people hold the keys to a brighter, more prosperous tomorrow...
Smart cities are a modern-day concoction addressing one of today’s biggest phenomena: rising urbanisation as a result of increasing migration to cities. They are regarded as a resource management framework for their ability to harness the power of technology...
To Mohammad Aljazzazi, digital work broadens one’s horizons and cultivates skills that are otherwise difficult to develop as an employee in a conventional working environment. “When you are a freelance digital worker, you are basically representing...
The spread of COVID-19 has led to unprecedented devastations in every corner of the world. Emerging nations, who have struggled to gain a strong foothold even prior to the pandemic are now facing compounded challenges to the economy...
For years, Sawsan Khlaif had suffered from extreme hair loss due to chemical products and hair straightening treatments. The 26-year-old Palestinian then decided to seek out natural alternatives but did not find what she was looking for exactly...
Smart cities continue to proliferate around the globe as the solution to a more efficient way of life. They are the work of multi-fold layers of technology woven together to create futuristic, urban places to live, work, and visit. When on display, we see...
The Industrial Revolutions and digital communications have increased the pace of our lives, and with it, the way we do business. For Abdelhafiz, Owner and Founder of Safe Technology for Plastic Industries in Sahab, Jordan, time is a crucial...
With rising temperatures, loss of biodiversity, tragic floods, intense storms, and record heat waves, our planet is undoubtedly in critical peril. Fortunately, there is hope for a better future so long as we raise awareness and take collective urgent action...
In Jordan, unemployment continues to persist to this day, affecting millions of families all over the country. Specifically, women and youth are the most vulnerable groups, characterised by disproportionately high rates. Nouseibah, 27...
Sustainable travel – responsible experience with consideration to local communities and the natural environment – should be the only way we travel. In Jordan, and other developing economies, sustainable travel has an unrivalled power...
Jebreel Haj Salah from Palestine, a nature enthusiast, has for long advocated the importance of green solutions in agriculture. What upsets him most is the problem of products expiring early. “It is not only costly but also generates a lot of food...
For years, Qusai, 29, had struggled to find a stable job due to his disability. Nevertheless, he did not despair and continued trying with unwavering faith and determination.
Human well-being is critically dependent on the Earth’s natural systems. Despite exponential economic, social, and technological advances seen in the past decade, environmental damage continues to spiral downwards, posing a serious and almost-inevitable threat to human prosperity.
In today’s world, digital transformation is not solely exclusive to the private sector. It is just as well key in transforming governments and public sector institutions.
In line with the global shift towards digitalisation, an increasing number of industries are opting for hybrid work arrangements for the first time, with digital transformation becoming a core focus for many sectors. The need to rapidly digitise operations has, in several ways, accelerated the move toward smart cities; i.e. areas where traditional networks and services are made more efficient with...
Travelling alone, dubbed “solo travelling” across the blogosphere, has taken the tourism industry by storm with more and more people eager to venture into the unknown in search of meaning and purpose. The experience, increasingly popular among millennials and generation Z, provides an exhilarating mix of adventure, disconnection, empowerment, and self-development.
Since February, we have partnered with EFE - Jordan to train around 150 Syrian refugees and host community members in Jordan to improve their employability and livelihood skills. The training, which is part of our Skills4Work project, funded by the Regional Development and Protection Programme for Lebanon, Jordan, and Iraq (RDPP II), covers soft and technical skills for manufacturing sectors inclu...
The world is facing unprecedented challenges caused by our current approach to consumption and production. In 2019 alone, 92 billion tonnes of materials were extracted and processed, contributing to almost half of the global CO2 emissions. As such, there is mounting pressure to shift toward a circular economy, whereby elimination of waste and safe use of natural resources are promoted.
Public-private partnership (PPP), which establishes cooperation and collaboration between public bodies and private organizations, is gaining traction worldwide. By bringing together private expertise with public resources, this arrangement provides efficient, high-quality services and infrastructure at a better value for money.
Cities everywhere are opting to incorporate smart technologies to solve some of their most pressing issues, from transportation to healthcare. Similarly, agriculture has emerged as another component that can be significantly enhanced through the utilisation of “smart systems” and then successfully integrated within the wider picture of smart cities.
While conventional calendars employed the 'Before the Common Era' (BCE) and 'Anno Domini' (AD) system, the coronavirus outbreak has revealed a new sense of time. “Post-COVID” is the beginning of a new epoch, transforming economies, cultures, and behaviours and expediting the arrival of a new type of work: digital work, otherwise known as digiwork.
Over the past century, the expansion of global economies has posed environmental challenges that demand a radical rethink in our priorities, habits, and systems.
Over the past century, the expansion of global economies has posed environmental challenges that demand a radical rethink in our priorities, habits, and systems.
With the recent rollout of COVID-19 vaccines, the light at the end of the tunnel is starting to shine for the tourism industry. However, the process of approval, production, and distribution will still take plenty of time – possibly till the end of 2021
Once dubbed as “the technology that can end traffic jams”, it is no secret that the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to promote efficient transportation has been heavily praised in recent years;
The outbreak of the virus has so far caused an economic fallout all over the world. As COVID-19 cases increase, commodity prices decrease, unemployment rises, stock markets flounder, and value chains continue to fail
The outbreak of the virus has so far caused an economic fallout all over the world. As COVID-19 cases increase, commodity prices decrease, unemployment rises, stock markets flounder, and value chains continue to fail
The outbreak of the virus has so far caused an economic fallout all over the world. As COVID-19 cases increase, commodity prices decrease, unemployment rises, stock markets flounder, and value chains continue to fail
Digital transformation, the process of employing new technologies or upgrading existing tools, is crucial in the transition to a fourth industrial revolution economy; especially with COVID-19 being the main catalyst of such pivotal transformation worldwide.
Not too long ago, Jordanian society had been primarily characterised by rural and nomadic culture. In the past 2 decades, however, urbanisation skyrocketed to just over 90%, with a significant multitude
COVID-19 Impact on Jordanian Exports 10 Jun 2020 Top Jordanian Exports by Industry Source: (OEC, 2017) Export-led Growth Prior to Covid-19 Lockdowns and Closures Reduction in Exports Following Covid-19 Lockdowns and Closures R ...
The outbreak of the novel Coronavirus came at a time when the world was preparing for a quick transition to circular economy. In 2018, the United Nations declared plastic pollution as a global crisis.
Tourism in Tunisia Amid COVID-19 04 Jun 2020 Population of +11.5 million in 2019 Unemployment of +15% in 2019; as high as 30% in some cities .st0{fill:#F2F6F9;} .st1{fill:#FFFFFF;} .st2{fill:#B4B1C9;} .st3{fill:#1A2B7A;} .st4{fill:#FF7481;} .st5{fill:#FF5C6B;} .st6{fill:#C9D7F5;} .st7{fill:#2AC48A;} ...
Over the past few months, COVID-19 has had a huge devastating impact on economics, governments, and civil society. From rising death tolls to disruptions in day-to-day
How economies in MENA will look like in 2020 and 2021 07 May 2020 Projections of Real GDP for 2020 and 2021 in MENA Projections for the overall region Annual percent change in Real GDP Inflation (percent) ***The above data is based on the projections of th ...
A General Outlook for the Palestinian Economy in 2020 04 May 2020 GDP estimates for 2020 Before COVID-19 2.4% After COVID-19 14% Economic losses of $2.5 billion Expected economic losses $ ...
COVID-19 implications on the workforce and society are profound. The International Labour Organisation (ILO) expected the loss of 25 million jobs worldwide early during the outbreak, and it expects the number to increase way more by the end of the year
Tourism resilience in the face of COVID-19 in Jordan 22 Apr 2020 As the greatest global health crisis of our time, COVID-19 has hit the whole world hard, influencing markets, behaviours, and expectations. The pandemic has particularly taken its toll on tourism, with the industry facing immediate and devastating repercussions ...
Innovation opportunities in the future of startups and SMEs in MENA 12 Apr 2020 Inspired by Market Trends and Shifts in Demand Introduction Today’s necessity is not only the mother of invention, but of digital transformation, innovation, and the adoption of new habits.Fighting COVID-19 is now the world’s top necess ...
In the face of sweeping globalisation, the internet has revolutionised the concept and purpose of tourism worldwide. Travellers nowadays enjoy easy access to a wealth of photos, videos...
One of the identified obstacles to enterprise development in developing markets is the lack of adequate access to business development services. Due to the disconnectedness of these markets...
As the world reaches the end of incrementalism, the Palestinian economy struggles to innovate, disrupt, and create change at the same speed and scale as worldwide technology progress. The developing economy of Palestine is constrained
