Princess Basma & Family: News & Pictures

[Humera]

Some old pics of Princess Basma and daughter Farah
From 1995

[Humera]

and some more from the event....

[Humera]

you're welcome elizahawthorne :)
Here some family pics

[elizahawthorne]

Originally Posted by ~*~Humera~*~

you're welcome elizahawthorne :)
Here some family pics

oh, I've never seen her family before, is her hubby also a hashemite...do you know?

[Humera]

Originally Posted by elizahawthorne

oh, I've never seen her family before, is her hubby also a hashemite...do you know?

hmm...I dont know
I looked it up on her website but it doesnt mention anything like that.
http://www.princessbasma.jo/resume.html

[elizahawthorne]

Princess Basma urges local civil society organisations to play major part in reform process

By Mahmoud Al Abed

HRH Princess Basma, INTRAC Executive</SPAN> Director Brian Pratt and Professor Alan Fowler at the opening of the International Civil Society and Community Development Conference on Monday (Petra photo) AMMAN — HRH Princess Basma on Monday said Jordan has succeeded in developing an environment for a new form of community development where the prevailing trend is towards greater decentralisation of planning and decision making to ensure wider participation at the grassroots level.

In her address at the opening of an international conference hosted by the Jordan Hashemite Fund for Human Development (JOHUD), the Princess noted that His Majesty King Abdullah “has taken the lead in promoting a new agenda for social, political and economic change.”

The “International Civil Society and Community Development Conference” is organised by the International NGOs Training and Research Centre (INTRAC).

More than 80 delegates from 34 countries are attending the three-day conference at the Queen Zein Al Sharaf Institute for Development (ZENID).

Princess Basma urged local civil society organisations to play a major part in the reform process under way.

“This is where large intermediary NGOs like JOHUD can work as a catalytic force for change,” she said, noting that the credibility and legitimacy these organisations have earned in the country's local communities would be a great help for them in this mission.

INTRAC's conference this year revolves around the theme of community development and civil society. It seeks to open up debate around the interface between civil society development and “the resurgence of interest on the part of international bilateral and multilateral agencies in community development.”

According to the organisers, in recent years there has been a growing trend among institutions like the World Bank and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to attempt to engage directly with communities in order to implement small infrastructure projects as part of larger community-driven development programmes. As these multilateral agencies implement these plans, they eliminate the role of traditional intermediaries of international and domestic NGOs. This change in policy carries a challenge for workers in the community development sector, the organisers said.

INTRAC's third conference in Amman will focus on the debate that ensued from these emerging realities.

Key actors involved in community development efforts, NGOs, governments and multilateral organisations, among other bodies, will examine the link between the support for community development initiatives and broader aims of strengthening civil society.

Topics to be covered include external mobilisation versus empowerment from within and community identity and social capital. In addition, an array of papers will tackle the various aspects of this year's theme.

In his speech at the opening ceremony, INTRAC Executive Director Brian Pratt said, “the origins of the present conference lie in the emerging or reemerging debate around the nature of community... and ways in which development cooperation should or could engage with communities.

In more specific terms, a background paper on the conference by Lucy Earle said the event hopes “to promote discussion of the link between development interventions at the grassroots and continuing efforts to strengthen civil society in developing and transition countries.”

In his remarks at the opening ceremony, Professor Alan Fowler from South Africa stressed the need to “look beyond participation,” and seek to achieve a genuine combination between community development plans and efforts made to enhance civil society organisations.

Princess Basma, JOHUD chairperson, took part in the conference's first plenary panel session, which addressed the basic concepts related to the theme of the meeting.

INTRAC is a nonprofit organisation working in the international development and relief sector. It supports non-governmental and civil society organisations around the world by helping explore policy issues, and by strengthening management and organisational effectiveness.

Since the early 1980s, JOHUD has built a network of more than 50 community development centres throughout Jordan. The only network of its kind in the country, it works in partnership with local organisations, societies, and councils.

Tuesday, April 19, 2005

http://www.jordantimes.com/tue/homenews/homenews6.htm

[elizahawthorne]

Princess urges women to play active role in public life

HRH Princess Basma meets with the members of the productive kitchen (Petra Photo) AMMAN (JT) — HRH Princess Basma on Wednesday called on women to seize present opportunities and work to improve their status in public life.

At a meeting with women activists at the General Federation of Jordanian Women (GFJW), the Princess said: “The prevailing climate is suitable for Jordanian women to realise their ambitions, enhance their status in political life and participate effectively in sustainable development efforts.”

The present environment, she said, stems from the reform policies pursued by His Majesty King Abdullah.

She also urged a review of legislations and regulations related to women so as to improve their economic and political status and urged women to prepare for the coming parliamentary elections.

The Princess, who toured the GFJW's headquarters, commended the efforts of GFJW, highlighting in particular the federation's success in reaching out to women in remote areas with projects designed to improve the quality of life in these targeted communities.

GFJW President Anas Saket briefed the Princess on the programmes and future plans of the federation.

The General Federation of Jordanian Women is a union of 103 women's NGOs. The federation is also a member of the Jordanian National Committee for Women and its affiliate, the NGO Coordinating Committee.

Also Wednesday, the Princess attended a panel discussion as part of the closing session of the International NGOs Training and Research Centre (INTRAC) Conference on “Civil Society Support: Is Community Development the Way Forward?”

During the session, which was chaired by Alan Fowler from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, around 80 participants from 34 countries discussed key factors in community development that contribute to the strengthening of civil society. Debates revolved around the following issues: Community development and governance; impact of community development on gender relations; local level work on rights and advocacy; and community development and service delivery — building blocks for civil society.

Princess Basma said the three-day conference provided many opportunities for the participants to learn from each other about how “to pursue the vision of a more equitable and inclusive development process for all our regions.”

The international gathering, which Princess Basma opened on Monday, was hosted by the Jordan Hashemite Fund for Human Development at the Queen Zein Al Sharaf Institute for Development.

According to Brian Pratt, INTRAC's Executive Director, a report will be published next week to include the views of all the participants, as well as a general agreement about the way forward to support civil society.

Thursday, April 21, 2005

link:

http://www.jordantimes.com/thu/homenews/homenews4.htm

[Veram98]

Originally Posted by shelley

Thanks for the link ! I notice, though that it has been posted on Petra after all the others, which were all together. You don't suppose that Petra read TRF and put it in afterwards ?!

I do not think so. It was the 4th of 6 pictures of people visiting the tomb.

[elizahawthorne]

Does anyone know how the UN chooses its goodwill ambassadors, there must be some guidelines they have...right? Just wondering because P Basma is a Goodwill Ambassador for the UNFPA (a branch of the UN)--[see page 1 of this thread for more info on that]

-Eliza

[Amina]

Her daughter Farah is beautiful - how old is she? Does she have an official role in Jordan at all? Does any1 have any recent pic's of her at all?

[Humera]

Amman/ Jun. 20/(Petra)-- Under the Patronage of His Majesty King Abdullah II, the 32nd World Conference of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) opened in Amman Monday with the participation of the largest number ever of delegates, nearly 500 participants from 122 countries.
The five-day conference, the first to be held in Jordan and the Arab region provides a unique platform for discussion, debate and decision making about issues that affect girls and young women.The world conference, hosted by Jordanian Association for Boy Scouts and Girl Guides(JABSGG), aims to promote the mission of WAGGGS, which is to enable girls and young women to develop their fullest potential as responsible citizens of the world.
At the opening session, HRH Princess Basma bint Talal, who JABSGG President, received WAGGGS World Citizenship Award. The Award launched in 1996 is presented to individuals outside the Movement who have made outstanding contribution to the building of better world and have been a role model for young people.The Award is presented to Princess Basma "in acknowledgement of her role in advocating for the rights of women and children and promoting humanitarian and environmental issues at the highest level," said WAGGGS Director Kirsty Gray. She noted the projects patronized by Princess Basma while presiding over the Jordanian Hashemite Fund for Human Development, with the aim of developing and improving living conditions of the Jordanian women. Addressing the opening session, Princess Basma thanked His
Majesty King Abdullah for patronizing the conference. " Your Majesty, central to your unique vision and leadership is a belief that young people have a vital role to play in our world," Princess Basma said. " We strongly believe that youth are our present and our future, and they must be encouraged to reach their full potential to participate and be involved in what is going on in the country," she said. " In Jordan, and indeed everywhere, young people can
contribute much with their dynamism and energy," Princess Basma added.
Established in 1928, WAGGGS is the umbrella organization for all national girl guides and scouts organizations in the world. It comprises of 144 member organizations, which are organized into five regions: Africa, Arab, Asia Pacific, Europe and Western Hemisphere. JABSGG has been a member of WAGGGS since 1976.
Injadat/ Petra

A very nice picture of Princess Basma

[Reina]

This is from The jordan times. There are also pics in Petra

'Women's political participation must be established at the grassroots level'

HRH Princess Basma delivers the opening address at the National Conference on the `Future of Jordanian Women' on Thursday in Salt (Petra photo)SALT (Petra) — HRH Princess Basma on Thursday said women's political participation, which is at the heart of socio-economic transformation, must be established at the grassroots level.

At the opening of the National Conference on the “Future of Jordanian Women,” the Princess said the event was timely and in parallel with a growing national debate over the future of Jordanian women.

Highlighting milestones in women's integration in public life throughout the history of Jordan, Princess Basma said one of the most remarkable achievements has been the winning of seats by women in municipal councils during the 1990s. Such accomplishments, she said, heralded women's entry into Parliament.

The Princess also highlighted the problems faced by Jordanian women, most urgent of which are the issues of globalisation and other influences, which necessitate that society as a whole, and particularly the youth, arm themselves with knowledge, determination and a strong sense of belonging to the nation.

She acknowledged that young Jordanians had indeed been up to the challenge and shown a deep sense of responsibility, leading to high expectations from them.

Senator Mai Abu Samen, who heads the conference's higher committee, highlighted the support women receive from the Hashemite leadership and the Princess.

She said Jordanian women adhere to the Kingdom's constants and the sovereignty of the Constitution and work for the security and stability of the country.

Addressing the gathering, Balqa Applied University President Omar Rimawi highlighted efforts to bolster women's participation alongside men in implementation of His Majesty King Abdullah's vision for development, especially in the field of human resources and women's empowerment.

The participants discussed several working papers addressing the issue of women's participation in public life, and focused on legislation pertaining to women, their role in economic, social and political thought and future decision making, as well as women's achievements in the fields of public administration, judiciary, local community leadership and voluntary work.

Friday-Saturday, July 1-2, 2005

[Humera]

I wonder if Princess Basma is going to attend the birthday celebrations of the Sultan of Brunei today and over the next few days as she has in previous years.

[farah]

I noticed that the question about Princess Basma's husband has not been answered, her husband's name is Waleed Kurdi he has no relation to the jordanian royal family, his family, however, is very known in Jordan, and it's also considered a very wealthy family.

[Humera]

Princess Basma's at the birthday celebrations of the Sultan of Brunei:
I dont want to post duplicate pics so here's the link
http://www.theroyalforums.com/forums...078#post244078

[shelley]

Originally Posted by farah

I noticed that the question about Princess Basma's husband has not been answered, her husband's name is Waleed Kurdi he has no relation to the jordanian royal family, his family, however, is very known in Jordan, and it's also considered a very wealthy family.

Hey Farah ? The Kurdis as such have richer and poorer family members within the family, but I remember very clearly the time when P. Basma married Waleed Kurdi. Although no big deal in many parts of the world, eyebrows were raised in Jordan because he was in fact the son of the late King Talal's chauffeur, and as such came from a humble background. Waleed Kurdi and his brothers and sisters had gone up in the world, and at the time of his marriage to P. Basma ( second for both of them ) he was a moderately succesful businessman in Jordan. He is now hugely rich, and extremely well contected, especially in Asia. P. Basma's first husband came from an old, well known and highly placed family of Iraqi origin. A former military man, he is now Jordan's Ambassador to London.

[Reina]

Guess what her website is back up.
http://www.princessbasma.jo/

[Little_star]

I like Princess Basma alot, but does anyone else think she looks like Shirley Bassey?

[maryshawn]

Princess Basma looked like she was really wracked with grief after KH's death. In a few shots, it seemed QN was holding her up and comforting her--Basma looked that shell-shocked. Does she ever give interviews and does she ever talk about KH and how she endured his loss? Others have so I thought she might, too.

[Little_star]

"Princess Basma looked like she was really wracked with grief after KH's death. In a few shots, it seemed QN was holding her up and comforting her--Basma looked that shell-shocked. Does she ever give interviews and does she ever talk about KH and how she endured his loss? Others have so I thought she might, too."

I can't be certain of this but i seem to recall that when King Hussein first became ill, Princess Basma offered to help by donating bone marrow (again I@m not certain). I cant' remember if they were able to or not, but I remember eharing that the cancer was too far along for her to do anything.