The Petra Tourism Development Region Authority (PDTRA), in partnership with Souq Fann, has launched “Petra Products,” an innovative e-commerce platform dedicated to promoting authentic Jordanian handicrafts and cultural heritage to local and international audiences.

Inspired by the ancient Rose City of Petra, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, Petra Products aims to empower talented artisans, craftspeople, and handicraft producers from Petra and across Jordan by connecting them with customers worldwide through a modern digital marketplace.

The platform showcases a wide range of handmade products that reflect the richness of Jordanian culture, creativity, and craftsmanship, while supporting local communities and preserving traditional artisanal skills for future generations.

Through this partnership, Souq Fann will contribute its expertise in digital marketplaces, artisan empowerment, and e-commerce operations to help expand the reach of Petra’s handcrafted products to regional and global markets.

Petra Products represents a significant step toward supporting sustainable tourism, cultural preservation, and economic empowerment for artisans and small producers in Petra and across Jordan.

For more information, visit: www.PetraProducts.jo

In 2013, Diwanieh — an initiative founded by Dr. Sami Hourani — organized a public dialogue event in Amman under the title:

“The New Press and Publications Law Threatens Freedom of Expression in Jordan.”

The event created an open platform for discussing media freedoms, freedom of expression, and the impact of legislative reforms on journalism and digital media in Jordan. It brought together policymakers, journalists, legal experts, and members of the public to engage in constructive dialogue around one of the country’s most important public issues at the time.

The discussion featured several notable speakers, including:

• Director of the Publications and Publishing Department, Mr. Fayez Al-Shawabkeh
• Head of the Legal Committee in the House of Representatives, Mr. Mahmoud Al-Kharabsheh
• Member of Parliament and political writer, Mr. Jamil Al-Nimri
• Founder and Editor-in-Chief of JO24, Mr. Basel Al-Akour

Through events like this, Diwanieh played an important role in encouraging civic dialogue, promoting freedom of expression, and strengthening public participation in discussions related to democratic reform and media development in Jordan.

The event reflected the vision of Dr. Sami Hourani in creating inclusive spaces for dialogue, critical thinking, and community engagement.

In 2025, Diwanieh — an initiative founded by Dr. Sami Hourani — organized a public dialogue event in Amman under the title:

“There Are No Job Opportunities for Young People in the Presence of Artificial Intelligence.”

The event focused on discussing the growing impact of artificial intelligence on the future of employment and the challenges facing young people in an increasingly technology-driven labor market. The dialogue explored how automation, AI technologies, and digital transformation are reshaping industries, changing workforce demands, and influencing the future of careers in Jordan and globally.

The session brought together policymakers, academics, economic experts, and youth participants in an open discussion about the opportunities and risks associated with artificial intelligence, including the importance of digital skills, innovation, entrepreneurship, and adapting educational systems to meet future labor market needs.

The event featured distinguished speakers, including:

• His Excellency Dr. Maan Qatamin, Jordanian politician, economist, and academic
• Professor Dr. Ismail Al-Hanti, President of Al-Hussein Technical University

The discussion highlighted the importance of preparing young people for the future economy by investing in technology education, practical skills, creativity, and lifelong learning to ensure that youth remain active contributors in the evolving world of work.

In 2021, Diwanieh — an initiative founded by Dr. Sami Hourani — organized a public dialogue event in Amman under the title:

“Who Determines the Identity of Jordanian Women?”

The event focused on discussing the social, cultural, and legal factors that shape the identity of Jordanian women in contemporary society. The dialogue explored issues related to gender roles, personal freedom, women’s rights, societal expectations, and the evolving role of women in public and professional life.

The session brought together legal experts, academics, activists, and members of the community in an open discussion examining how identity is influenced by legislation, culture, education, media, and social norms, while emphasizing the importance of empowering women and supporting equal participation in society.

The event featured distinguished speakers, including:

• Professor Hala Ahed Deeb, practicing lawyer and human rights advocate
• Dr. Maisoun Al-Atoum, Director of the Women’s Studies Center at the University of Jordan and internationally accredited expert in gender auditing from the International Labour Organization

The discussion highlighted the importance of promoting dialogue around gender equality, human rights, and social inclusion, while encouraging greater awareness of the challenges and opportunities facing Jordanian women today.

In 2021, Diwanieh — an initiative founded by Dr. Sami Hourani — organized a public dialogue event in Amman under the title:

“Startups Play No Role in the Growth of the Jordanian Economy.”

The event focused on discussing the role of startups and entrepreneurial ventures in shaping Jordan’s economic future. The dialogue explored whether startups can effectively contribute to economic growth, job creation, innovation, and investment opportunities, while also addressing the challenges faced by entrepreneurs in the Jordanian market.

The session brought together economic experts, investors, entrepreneurs, and members of the startup ecosystem in an open discussion about the realities of entrepreneurship in Jordan, including access to funding, scalability, digital transformation, and the sustainability of emerging businesses.

The event featured several distinguished speakers, including:

• His Excellency Dr. Yousef Mansour, former Minister of State for Economic Affairs
• Mr. Farhan Al-Kalaldeh, CEO and Co-founder of Impact MENA
• Mr. Tamer Al-Salah, former CEO of Beyond Capital, a company supporting entrepreneurial ventures
• Mr. Hamdi Al-Tabbaa, Co-founder and CEO of Abwab platform

The discussion highlighted the growing importance of innovation and entrepreneurship in modern economies and emphasized the need to create a supportive environment that enables startups to contribute more effectively to Jordan’s economic and social development.

During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Diwanieh — an initiative founded by Dr. Sami Hourani — organized an online public dialogue event under the title:

“Is Social Media a Free Space for Expressing Opinions?”

The event focused on discussing freedom of expression in the digital age and the role of social media platforms in shaping public dialogue and political discourse. The discussion explored questions related to digital freedoms, media regulations, online censorship, public responsibility, and the balance between free expression and legal or societal boundaries.

The online session brought together media professionals, policymakers, and members of the public in an open dialogue examining how social media has transformed communication and public participation, especially during the COVID-19 period when online platforms became central spaces for discussion and information sharing.

The event featured distinguished speakers, including:

• Professor Basel Al-Akour, Editor-in-Chief of Jordan 24 News Agency
• His Excellency Dr. Mohammad Al-Momani, Member of the Jordanian Senate and former Minister of State for Media Affairs

The discussion highlighted the growing influence of digital platforms on public opinion and emphasized the importance of promoting responsible online dialogue while protecting freedom of expression and constructive civic engagement.

During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Diwanieh — an initiative founded by Dr. Sami Hourani — organized an online public dialogue event under the title:

“Social Media Threatens Society.”

The event focused on discussing the growing influence of social media on individuals and communities, as well as its psychological, cultural, and social impact in the digital age. The dialogue explored topics related to digital identity, misinformation, online behavior, mental health, and the role of social media platforms in shaping public opinion and social relationships.

The online session brought together experts, media professionals, psychologists, and entrepreneurs in an open discussion examining both the opportunities and risks associated with social media use, especially during a period when digital communication became more central due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The event featured several distinguished speakers, including:

• Khaled Al-Ahmad, consultant and author in the field of digital identity building
• Professor Rania Attallah, psychologist
• Professor Bayan Al-Tal, consultant at the Jordan Media Institute
• Professor Sima Al-Najjar, Jordanian entrepreneur

The discussion highlighted the importance of responsible digital engagement, media awareness, and promoting healthier online environments that support constructive communication and social wellbeing.

In 2021, Diwanieh — an initiative founded by Dr. Sami Hourani — organized a public dialogue event in Amman under the title:

“Could Amman Become a Green City?”

The event focused on discussing environmental sustainability, urban planning, and the future of green development in Jordan’s capital. The dialogue explored ways to create a more environmentally friendly city through sustainable infrastructure, green spaces, public transportation, and community-driven environmental initiatives.

The session brought together urban planners, environmental experts, engineers, and members of the community to exchange ideas on the challenges facing Amman as a rapidly growing city and the opportunities for building a healthier and more sustainable urban environment.

The event featured several distinguished speakers, including:

• Engineer Shada Al-Sharif
• Engineer Hanna Salameh
• Engineer Suha Al-Shishani – Greater Amman Municipality
• Engineer Rima Odeh – Greater Amman Municipality

The discussion highlighted the importance of sustainable city planning, environmental awareness, and cooperation between public institutions and local communities in shaping a greener future for Amman.