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Al-Quds Center for Political Studies 
is an independent think-tank that is not affiliated with any partisan agency. It was established in Amman in 1999 and in Beirut in 2012 with the aim of providing a deeper and more accurate understanding of the challenges facing political reforms and democratic transition in Jordan and other Arab countries. The Center is also aimed at consecrating “equal citizenry” values, which it considers the source of human rights. It promotes a culture of dialogue, tolerance, respect of pluralism and recognition of the presence of others and the principles of freedom, justice, and the rule of law as the rule governing the modern state’s relationship with its citizens, and regional and international bodies. The Center works to expand political participation of citizens and operationalize civil monitoring of government and parliamentary performance. It promotes freedom of the press and independence of the media and enroots the “right to know” and citizen access to information.

Methodologically, the Center conducts research and explorative and survey-based studies and produces reports and policy papers. It establishes specialized “monitors” and gives special attention to training party cadres, civil society organizations, and youth and women movements. It helps build institutional capacity for these agencies and develop internal democratic practices among them. It assists them in building coalitions, alliances, and networks while developing their advocacy and lobbying capacity through tapping into the best regional and international experiences to help them achieve their objectives.

From the beginning, Al-Quds Center has been keen on supporting the socio-economic reform process, institutionalizing social dialogue, and increasing political parties’ involvement in this process. It seeks to build the capacity of business associations with special attention to small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Additionally, it works to increase women’s participation in the labor market and business sector, strengthen the private sector role in socio-economic development, and promote the values of social justice.

Early in its stride, the Center conducted studies on the phenomenon of “Political Islam,” which has spread in most countries of the Middle East and North Africa. Islamist efforts have been based on the assumption that no democracy can be achieved apart from one connected to Islam and that thus democracy is not possible without embedding the civil-democratic component in modern Islamic movements. Al-Quds Center has been keen on supporting reform directives within these movements, and promoting dialogue and interaction among the several political, intellectual and social schools involved in order to build national consensus as a pre-requisite for a smooth and secure transition to democracy.

Since its inception, the Center has had a special focus on exploring the regional trends and their impact on the area’s future, especially regarding the Palestinian Cause and the Arab-Israeli conflict. It has been tracking the pertinent development of regional and international strategies, and their impacts on the rights of nations to develop welfare, freedom, democracy, and self-determination.

Al-Quds Center for Political Studies has always been keen on covering both the national (Jordanian) scope and regional (Middle East and North African) affairs. It depends on a wide network of relations and alliances with other think tanks, civil society organizations, activists, and intellects in this region. It believes that there are many commonalities among countries in the region, which enables them to exchange experiences and maximize benefits and common stakes. In order to serve its regional programs and activities, in 2011 Al-Quds Center for Political Studies launched its branch in the Lebanese Capital, Beirut, in the capacity of an independent Lebanese, not-for-profit think tank. This branch handles the same programs and seeks to achieve the same objectives as Al-Quds Center in Amman.

By virtue of its early recognition of the importance of group and joint work, Al-Quds Center for Political Studies has successfully launched many local and regional networks and coalitions. These include, inter alia: "The Democratic Reform and Change in the Arab World," "The Arab Civil Network for Parliamentary Monitoring,” and "The Civil Coalition to Reform Media Legislation"- IFSAH [DISCLOSURE]. These networks include hundreds of activists, civil organizations, intellects and academics. The Center is additionally a member of several international and Euro-med networks that operate in the domains of interest for it and its programs.


Al-Quds Center Programs

  1. Reform and Democracy in the Arab World
  2. Parliaments and Elections
  3. Decentralization and LGUs
  4. Political Parties in Jordan
  5. Political Islam
  6. Syndicates and CSOs
  7. Media and Press Freedom
  8. Minorities Citizenship
  9. Youth Empowerment
  10. Women Empowerment
  11. Counter Extremism
  12. Regional Conflicts
  13. The Palestinian Question
  14. Policy Forum