In an interview, Sheri Ritsema-Anderson discusses implications of Gaza war on faith in international human rights; opportunities Summit of the Future provides to restore trust

In an interview with Al Ghad Arabic daily, UN Resident Coordinator in Jordan, Sheri Ritsema-Anderson discussed the broader implications of the war in Gaza on faith in international human rights; the opportunity that the Summit of the Future provides to restore trust and create a better reality in a changing world; and the work of the United Nations in the Kingdom to support Jordanians and refugees.

Amman- The UN Resident Coordinator in Jordan, Sheri Ritsema-Anderson, warned of the impact of funding shortages on the continuity of the UN's programs targeting Syrian and Palestine refugees in Jordan. She highlighted that funding issues facing the UN in this regard are a "major concern", noting that funding began to decline over past years, affecting several programs and projects implemented in Jordan. 

For instance, she noted, last year, the World Food Programme was forced to reduce the number of beneficiaries and the value of food assistance to Syrian refugees. UNICEF had to close more than 20 of its "Makani" centers, which support Jordanian and Syrian youth across the kingdom. This year, UNHCR has been forced to reduce the number of Syrian refugee families receiving cash assistance. And UNRWA operations supporting Palestine refugees continue to be on unpredictable footing, with interruptions to donor funding leaving it with secured funding only through June.

To stretch the funding that is available, the UN is considering measures such as consolidation of some health centers into one health center in Syrian refugee camps or the delay of some improvements, such as roads, in camps to maintain other types of assistance. 

Anderson emphasized that the UN is "unwavering in our commitment to support refugees – Palestine and Syrian – in Jordan. We are looking at all possible options to ensure we have the money to continue providing services to refugees, but we have reached a point where we can’t stretch available money further. Sustainable commitments from donors are needed at this stage for both operations."

She called on all partners to find solutions to preserve the gains made by the UN and its partners and to maintain financial support for necessary programs to achieve humanitarian and development goals in Jordan. She stressed that the UN continuously highlights urgent funding needs and the consequences if appropriate funding and support are not provided. It is working with donors to find ways to raise the funding needed to continue providing aid for the coming period.

"There is a significant risk of not having enough funding to do what we need to do," she said, and the lack of funding could lead to increased vulnerabilities amongst Syrian refugees and a heightened risk of interruptions in the provision of water in Syrian refugee camps after June."

Anderson stressed that Jordan remains one of the best examples in hosting refugees and providing humanitarian support to those in need. "For decades, over the past 75 years, Jordan has provided a global public service to humanity," she added. Despite the pressures exerted on it over the past decades, "Jordan has continued to show immense generosity and solidarity with the less fortunate, who need a safe haven."

She said, "The way Jordan has welcomed Syrian refugees and supported them over the past 13 years has been truly commendable and innovative, whether in types of support, and in how it worked with donors and the UN, as seen in setting up second shift classes for Syrian refugee children within national schools and allowing Syrian refugees to benefit from the national health system, among other sectors."  But these rely on funding from donors, as per the Jordan Compact.

The Human Rights System Post-Gaza

Anderson believes that one of the most critical issues today, which must be a priority for the United Nations, as well as national governments, civil society, and humanity at large, is the loss of trust in international law and systems, especially after the war on Gaza, describing it as a "dangerous matter" that “keeps her awake at night.” She emphasized the need to address this issue through several approaches so that we do not lose what has been built over the past decades in establishing a human rights system where societies around the world are equal.

She stated that the UN team is currently working to promote effective and constructive dialogue with all partners, authorities, and institutions involved in societies in Jordan. 

This is to address questions that "we need to engage in honestly and sincerely, in a fruitful manner" on the human rights violations and failures seen in the region and across the world, ensuring that the law itself is reaffirmed as important and necessary for all humanity, and without it, the world cannot be equal. 

She noted, “The relentless death and destruction in Gaza is deplorable and unjustifiable. The outrage felt by Jordanians and others in the region as they are forced to watch this go on without any way to stop it is understandable. I spent many years working and living in Gaza and the West Bank since 2009. So I too am horrified every day as I watch the carnage continue.” 

However, the solution, she notes, is not the abandonment of international law, but its implementation and activation, emphasizing the need for countries and other parties to conflict to take responsibility for implementing this law in their own lands, and for other countries to ensure collective accountability.

Another path Anderson pointed out is the work of the United Nations globally with member states, governments, civil society, and relevant partners to highlight the role of the UN and its activities and projects within all countries to enhance the human rights system worldwide, including in countries at peace, like Jordan.

She mentioned that the United Nations in Jordan, for example, works and supports the government, along with civil society and the National Center for Human Rights, to enhance human rights and help the Jordanian people achieve their goals and aspirations.

On a global level—the third path—Anderson sees that the United Nations is hosting the "Future Summit" in September. This summit, attended by all member states, will discuss currently relevant issues, addressing topics related to technology and innovation for youth in the future. It will also propose ways to enhance the implementation of the UN Charter and human rights, emphasizing that international law is still valid and applicable. She noted our current need for UN member states to reaffirm their commitment to international law and human rights principles.

The Future Summit

Regarding the Future Summit taking place in New York this coming September, Anderson emphasized its particular importance given the current situation in Gaza. During the summit, world leaders will gather to reach a new international consensus on how to achieve a better present while protecting the future. It represents an opportunity to restore trust and to demonstrate the effectiveness of international cooperation in addressing the increasingly prominent challenges of recent years.

The summit will emphasize human rights values and the United Nations Charter, which aims to enhance security and peace for all people everywhere. Anderson described this summit as a "real moment of reflection" to acknowledge when the values advocated by the United Nations are at risk, and when these values do not reflect daily life, especially in light of current events.

According to Anderson, the summit will enhance cooperation among nations to advance support for humanity, providing an opportunity for Arab countries to have a strong and influential voice in shaping the future.

Anderson also mentioned reform initiatives to be proposed at the summit, including changes in the voting mechanisms of the Security Council. She noted that  while these decisions are made by the countries, the United Nations Secretary-General has for years encouraged countries to ensure UN bodies and mechanisms are fully representative, inclusive, and responsive to the needs and interests of all countries. She sees great opportunity to have a stronger and more influential voice for the Arab states.

"The world has changed since the founding of the United Nations in 1945. We need this Arab voice to join with others to say, look, we are committed to humanity, to collective action through the United Nations, and where we see common values failing, in our region and beyond, we will provide leadership to fix the shortfalls, and to ensure that globally, everyone enjoys equal rights and everyone works through peaceful and political means to find solutions to unresolved and new crises," she added.

The United Nations today focuses on a crucial aspect: how to build a better world for future generations of youth, how to utilize their capabilities more effectively to benefit humanity, and how to assist them in accessing opportunities fairly.

It also focuses on transforming systems and modern technology, digital spaces, innovation, and artificial intelligence to serve development that leads to prosperity and equity for all.

Anderson pointed out that the United Nations has identified and presented 12 key issues for discussion and deliberation by the countries participating in the conference, in an attempt by the United Nations to assist these countries in coming up with feasible and committed proposals and solutions, noting that any decision, policy, or recommendation emerging from this summit will be the product of dialogue and discussion by the participating countries.

She added that the United Nations is working with all governments, civil society from around the world, and relevant entities to help engage Arab voices and contribute to the discussions that will take place in New York.

Anderson affirmed that the United Nations supports the Arab states on all levels, whether from within these countries or from its offices in New York, to have representation and a voice within the United Nations, stressing the importance of Arab countries' participation in this conference to press for and achieve this goal.

“If Arabs – if Jordanians – do not see their needs, rights, and contributions given equal consideration in the world, this is the moment to raise the voice and negotiate change. The Future Summit is asking for countries to offer joint solutions to challenges and opportunities of a changing world. And the Arab Summit scheduled for this week in Bahrain provides a useful opportunity for this region to agree on how it will engage at the Future Summit,” she noted, adding, “I look forward to Jordan, as always, playing an active role on the global stage," she said, noting that Jordan, represented by His Majesty King Abdullah, has a very strong presence in New York, as he is a persuasive and highly credible figure globally.

Supporting Women and Youth

Anderson acknowledges that there is significant support directed towards women in Jordan from the government, donors, and the United Nations, but she notes that this does not mean that further changes are unnecessary, including at the level of laws and policies.

Anderson points out that the United Nations and agencies pay great attention to women's issues and rights in Jordan, supporting their economic and political empowerment. There are programs aimed at enabling women to start their own businesses and others supporting micro home-based projects for growth and expansion. Additionally, there are agricultural projects supported by the Food and Agriculture Organization in cooperation with local partners that target local communities, teaching some farmers about water-saving agricultural methods, and networking within the same project with women who produce food from their homes.

Current discussions among UN organizations, the government, and donors are aimed at finding solutions to increase women's economic participation. The focus of various programs will be on addressing the barriers and challenges that prevent women from entering and remaining in the workforce. This includes providing safe, affordable public transportation and childcare facilities, as well as awareness programs for families in different areas about the importance of women's work and their contribution to economic development.

Anderson mentions that such reforms take time to show effects, thus there is a need for sustained and more inclusive investments.

Responding to a question regarding the slow pace of change, she said despite significant efforts by the Government, civil society, and international partners, Anderson notes that the United Nations is working with others to increase the effectiveness of collective efforts to ensure the maximization of their intended benefits.

Anderson emphasizes that the United Nations gives high priority to the issues of youth in Jordan, which are also a high priority for the Jordanian government, as well as for His Majesty the King, who has been very clear about the positive role that youth can and should play in the future.

On youth support, Anderson notes that recent demographic changes have significantly increased the number of young people. The United Nations views these young people as an "opportunity" to be invested in, to harness their energy and enthusiasm, and to engage with them effectively and broadly.

One of the key issues the United Nations focuses on is unemployment, and one of the best ways to assist youth is by involving them and helping them engage in a positive, productive, and organized manner in the economy, primarily through job creation and training.

The United Nations also supports Jordan's encouragement of youth participation in volunteer activities, which helps them define their future goals and creates a sense of contributing positively to their communities.

UNICEF plays a role in supporting youth through a program that helps create their own job opportunities, supports entrepreneurship, and transforms small investments into larger projects.

The United Nations also supports the government's reforms in the public education sector and curriculum, attempting to better match skills and capabilities with the job market. Anderson notes progress in this area, under the positive leadership of the Government, which will have long-term effects.

Anderson stresses the importance of helping youth create job opportunities in their local communities and achieve a sustainable way of living, which helps reduce pressure on the state budget and resources instead of mass migration to urban centers.

Empowering youth and women through various skills training and providing quality education is the best way to create job opportunities, and these are all top priorities for the United Nations in its support for Jordan, which the government is seriously working on as part of its vision.

She highlights the importance of involving youth in the plans and programs that are primarily targeted at them, noting that Jordan has a generation of fantastic, educated, and crisis-aware youth with tremendous potential that must be utilized in the best ways that align with their thinking and openness.

Furthermore, the United Nations supports the political participation of women and youth, which the government is working on within its political reforms.

United Nations Work Priorities in Jordan

Anderson discussed the main work priorities for the upcoming phase carried out by 29 UN agencies in Jordan. She highlighted that the United Nations will continue to honor its commitments towards supporting Syrian and Palestine refugees and assisting Jordan in dealing with the consequences of hosting these refugees, even amidst financial challenges. The UN will also continue to support various efforts to provide humanitarian assistance to people in Gaza and to reach a political solution to the root causes of crisis in all neighboring countries.

The United Nations will focus on helping Jordan achieve its Sustainable Development Goals aligned with its local vision, including economic transformation and promoting decent work for all segments of society. 

UN development efforts are wide ranging, but focus on three themes. First are efforts made to enhance the economic empowerment of Jordanians, particularly women and youth, and to reform education in support of that economic goal. Around 15 UN agencies contribute to this goal. Second is support extended to social protection systems, working with the Ministry of Social Development and other national partners to develop effective social protection systems and safety nets, including strategies aimed at achieving self-sufficiency for citizens. Initiatives will include expanding the coverage of social security, strategies for graduation from the National Aid Fund, and implementing a national school nutrition program. Several agencies are active in this effort.

Anderson emphasized the third set of priority efforts focus on addressing the comprehensive sustainability of the food system that links the agriculture, water, and energy sectors. This includes preparing for future challenges in food security and enhancing inclusive agricultural practices. Around 10 UN agencies support these efforts.

Underpinning all efforts is United Nations support for the empowerment of women and youth, in support of the Kingdom’s triple modernization reforms, ensuring they are central to economic, educational, and social strategies. This includes supporting women's participation in the political field and enhancing their inclusion in all developmental agendas.

This is an unofficial translation of an interview with Al Ghad Newspaper. Original interview in Arabic, can be accessed here.