Winners of Queen Alia Social Work Competition honoured

Feb 17, 2005

AMMAN (JT) - HRH Princess Basma highlighted the role that the Queen Alia Social Work Competition can play in "entrenching the values of moderation, tolerance and mutual respect," which spring from the Islamic tradition. In her address at an awards ceremony for winners of the nationwide competition yesterday, the Princess said the 2004 competition's theme revolved around high values and refined behavior and ways to instill them in the younger generation. She highlighted the aspect of participation in efforts to entrench these values in society, starting with children. "The Queen Alia Social Work Competition is an example of true participation, which is the basic element to sustain such activities," Princess Basma said. She announced that JD30,000 of the competition's proceeds this year would be used to provide heating devices for schools in underprivileged areas. Minister of Education Khalid Touqan said the theme of the competition was an apt choice due to the fact that "values of consumerism have penetrated the minds of our young men and women as they live the ICT revolution in an era of global openness." Muzahim Muheisin, head of the competition's higher committee, said 550,000 copies of the quiz were circulated, along with 400,000 awareness brochures, 25,000 guidance and educational pamphlets on the competition's theme. He revealed that proceeds amounted to JD260,000, while 193 major prizes were handed over to winners, in addition to 3,347 consolation prizes. Education departments in the Kingdom's 12 governorates played a major role in the effort, noted Abdul Majid Ebeidat, director of education in Kura District, in a speech he delivered at the awards ceremony. Princess Basma launched the Queen Alia Social Work Competition in 1995. The annual competition, which takes the form of a quiz contest, focuses on raising general awareness through disseminating information on the causes, effects, treatment and prevention of various disabilities. This national endeavour, in which representatives of 20 government agencies, NGOs and regional organisations are involved, also raises funds to support special education services.