Jordan-US Teams for Development in Education Program

Counterpart International's (Counterpart) "Jordan-US Teams for Development in Education" (JUSTDEED) program was a unique initiative that linked schools in Aqaba, Jordan, to partner schools in Chicago, Illinois. The JUSTDEED program was funded through the US State Department's Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) and created a more diverse base of education for students from both cities through communication and travel, sharing knowledge across both cultural and geographic boundaries.

Students linked up in three ways: an e-Buddy electronic correspondence system and two exchange programs, one for Jordanian students traveling to Chicago and one for their American counterparts visiting Aqaba. In both cases, students had home-stays with local families. The e-Buddy program was available not only to prepare those students who travel on the exchange program, but also allowed other students to learn from peers in another country.

JUSTDEED's focus on information communication technology (ICT) meant that the program provided future employment opportunities for students in Aqaba. ICT is lacking in Jordanian schools, even though it is the key to employment in the job market. Likewise, students from Chicago gained much needed cultural expertise and understanding that will help them deal with an increasingly diverse American landscape, both culturally and economically. Students in both countries participated in interactive classroom linkages and gained leadership skills as they designed new and innovative intercultural projects and activities between schools. 

While linking students, JUSTDEED also built up the educational and job-readiness education in Aqaba. American teachers, for example, were sent to Jordan during the summer to meet with local parents and teachers with the goal of establishing and fostering the growth of Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs).

The PTA concept is non-existent in Jordan, and this element of JUSTDEED is therefore a one-of-a-kind program designed to involve parents in the education of their children. Additionally, bringing teachers to Jordan allows them to incorporate what they learn on their trips into their curricula, diversifying the education base for their students in Chicago.

Finally, JUSTDEED set up internships for students in Jordan as part of the education in information technology and the English language. Students then had key opportunities to gather and implement skills for the burgeoning Aqaba tourist sector and the wider local and international economies.

Improved Rule of Law in Jordan

The Rule of Law Project (MASAQ), funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by DPK Consulting, worked in partnership with the Ministry of Justice and high judicial council to increase the efficiency, transparency and accountability of the judicial system in Jordan.

Under this project, Counterpart assisted in the development of a broad-based informal network of civil society organizations and individuals concerned with issues of judicial independence and judicial performance, and capable of acting as a catalyst for progress in those areas. 

Counterpart's specific activities included:

1. identifying and contacting civil society organizations, government officials, media professionals, experts from universities and think tanks and individuals that have an interest in judicial performance;
2. developing workshops and materials to inform Jordanian actors of successful experiences in other countries and facilitating coordination of Jordanian activities;
3. developing and fostering linkages between Jordanian efforts and relevant regional and international organizations;
4. supporting Jordanian actors in publicizing their activities and promoting their vision of judicial independence and performance; and
5. providing small grants to civil society organizations to promote justice sector reform.