Karak Economic Development Council receives technical assistance on advocacy practices

The focal point of the one-day workshop was to build the capacity of professional individuals from the private and public sectors in the governorate of Karak on issues of public policy formulation, and advocating pertinent economic interests of the Karak region on the national and sectoral levels.

The workshop topics described key areas of tactics and best practices of approaching government entities about concerned topics, vital elements of carrying out advocacy campaigns, synchronized and focused issues to advocate and pursue, efficient and effective coordination of efforts as a group, and how to develop and deliver valuable policy position papers.

The Karak Economic Development Council will receive follow up technical assistance, targeting more specific advocacy issues in the months to come, from the USAID-funded program. The goal of the council is to become a leader in the community to advocate positive change and to increase and support economic development and improve opportunities for the residents of Karak.

The Karak Economic Development Council was formed in February 2007, and consists of 13 members representing the various economic sectors of the region. The council is charged with synchronizing efforts and initiatives between the communities in the governorate and the USAID-funded Sustainable Achievement of Business Expansion and Quality Program (SABEQ).

Achievement of SABEQ's principal goals in part lies in its ability to prompt local government to assume a more active role in promoting and sustaining their own economic growth. To achieve this, SABEQ has concerted efforts in the governorates of Irbid and Karak to increase local government understanding of the important role the private sector plays in the local economy, as well as the impact that local government initiatives can have on economic development.